Statement regarding article published in October 2019 – "Chatsworth man who scammed pensioners disappears"

In October 2019, the Daily News published an article titled “Chatsworth Man Who Scammed Pensioners Disappears.” The article named Mr. Morgan Govender as the individual who allegedly defrauded 21 pensioners in the Malvern area out of over R50,000, and further reported on a judgment obtained against him for the repayment of R150,000 he had allegedly borrowed.

At the time of publication, the Daily News undertook its standard editorial checks and endeavoured to comply with the applicable standards of ethical journalism. The story was published in the belief that it served the public interest, particularly in highlighting concerns raised by vulnerable members of the community.

However, Mr. Govender, the plaintiff in the matter, has since raised concerns that he was not afforded an adequate opportunity to respond to the allegations before the article was published. As a responsible media institution, the Daily News takes such concerns seriously. We recognise the importance of the right of reply, especially in stories that may impact an individual’s reputation or dignity.

The Daily News is committed to upholding the highest standards of journalistic integrity and transparency. We operate in accordance with the South African Press Code and our internal editorial policies, which include provisions to ensure fairness, accuracy, and balance in reporting.

In light of the concerns raised, the Daily News wishes to offer a sincere and unequivocal apology to Mr. Govender. We confirm that there was no intention to cause harm or act with malice. The omission of Mr. Govender’s perspective was not deliberate, and we regret any distress this may have caused him.

We remain committed to correcting the record where appropriate and will continue to review and improve our processes to ensure that similar concerns are avoided in the future.

Issued by:

Editorial Team

Daily News