Daily Dispatch reporters scooped the top award for investigative journalism at the prestigious Vodacom Journalist of The Year national finals in Johannesburg on Friday.
Senior journalist Bongani Fuzile and deputy political editor Mphumzi Zuzile were named overall national winners and won the print general news award for their investigation into the Mandela funeral fund scandal.
Presenting the award, judging panel convener Mary Papayya said: “This story has been crowned among our nation’s best in journalism. For a story that was gripping and truthful, for reporting that was unrelenting, and for excellence and commitment to news – the unveiling of the corruption relating to former president Nelson Mandela’s funeral, resulting in seismic repercussions for the guilty officials.”
The story on how funds meant for the late former president’s funeral were misused came to light a month after his funeral, instigated by an invoice leaked to the Dispatch. An investigation was launched by the Hawks after opposition parties called for one.
The story received national attention as the Dispatch dug deeper, uncovering how the money meant for Mandela’s memorial services was illegally paid for other purposes.
The Hawks investigation led to the arrest of Buffalo City Municipality ANC heads, executive mayor Zukiswa Ncitha, deputy mayor Temba Tinta and council speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele; ANC regional secretary Pumlani Mkolo and Nosiphiwe Mati, Mkolo’s former girlfriend and mother of his child; and senior councillor Sindiswa Gomba on charges of money laundering and fraud.
The fraud case was postponed to November 21. A provisional date for the three-week trial was set for April next year.
Dispatch editor Bongani Siqoko said the award was not just a victory for the two reporters. “It is a victory for every journalist at the Dispatch, and every other freedom of expression activist who has supported us in the 10 months of reporting this story.
“It has not been an easy 10 months for these reporters.
“We were put under a lot of pressure to drop the story and sometimes received what appeared to have been threats. But we refused to back down.
“So this is a huge victory – not just for these two reporters but for everyone who fights to have good governance in our public institutions and every anti-corruption crusader in this province,” said Siqoko.
Fuzile and Zuzile said the achievement was made possible by the huge support from the entire Dispatch team.
“This would not have been possible without the team, who supported us.
“Tonight once again validates that the Dispatch is indeed an award-winning newspaper,” said Fuzile.
Zuzile said: “It is a great honour for the team to be recognised as the best in the country.”
— arethal@dispatch.co.za
Probing Dispatch journalists win award
Senior journalist Bongani Fuzile and deputy political editor Mphumzi Zuzile were named overall national winners and won the print general news award for their investigation into the Mandela funeral fund scandal.
Presenting the award, judging panel convener Mary Papayya said: “This story has been crowned among our nation’s best in journalism. For a story that was gripping and truthful, for reporting that was unrelenting, and for excellence and commitment to news – the unveiling of the corruption relating to former president Nelson Mandela’s funeral, resulting in seismic repercussions for the guilty officials.”
The story on how funds meant for the late former president’s funeral were misused came to light a month after his funeral, instigated by an invoice leaked to the Dispatch. An investigation was launched by the Hawks after opposition parties called for one.
The story received national attention as the Dispatch dug deeper, uncovering how the money meant for Mandela’s memorial services was illegally paid for other purposes.
The Hawks investigation led to the arrest of Buffalo City Municipality ANC heads, executive mayor Zukiswa Ncitha, deputy mayor Temba Tinta and council speaker Luleka Simon-Ndzele; ANC regional secretary Pumlani Mkolo and Nosiphiwe Mati, Mkolo’s former girlfriend and mother of his child; and senior councillor Sindiswa Gomba on charges of money laundering and fraud.
The fraud case was postponed to November 21. A provisional date for the three-week trial was set for April next year.
Dispatch editor Bongani Siqoko said the award was not just a victory for the two reporters. “It is a victory for every journalist at the Dispatch, and every other freedom of expression activist who has supported us in the 10 months of reporting this story.
“It has not been an easy 10 months for these reporters.
“We were put under a lot of pressure to drop the story and sometimes received what appeared to have been threats. But we refused to back down.
“So this is a huge victory – not just for these two reporters but for everyone who fights to have good governance in our public institutions and every anti-corruption crusader in this province,” said Siqoko.
Fuzile and Zuzile said the achievement was made possible by the huge support from the entire Dispatch team.
“This would not have been possible without the team, who supported us.
“Tonight once again validates that the Dispatch is indeed an award-winning newspaper,” said Fuzile.
Zuzile said: “It is a great honour for the team to be recognised as the best in the country.”
— arethal@dispatch.co.za
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