Daily Maverick Faces Gag Order Battle in Joburg High Court Over Collen Mashawana Exposé

The Johannesburg High Court is once again the stage for a legal clash pitting press freedom against personal reputation. At the heart of the case is Gauteng businessman Collen Mashawana, who has taken the Daily Maverick to court in a bid to stop the publication from reporting on him.

The Case at Hand

Mashawana filed an urgent application on 21 August 2025, asking the court not only to prevent further reporting but also to force the removal of existing stories linking him to alleged misuse of funds at the Independent Development Trust (IDT).

The allegations were detailed in a series of articles by veteran investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh, who reported on suspicious payments connected to Mashawana’s foundation and a luxury Waterfall property tied to suspended IDT CEO, Tebogo Malaka.

According to Daily Maverick, video evidence also surfaced showing Malaka and her spokesperson handing cash to Myburgh. The journalist later clarified the money was an attempt to bribe him into halting his investigation.

Mashawana, however, has flatly denied wrongdoing and insists the reports are damaging his reputation.

A Familiar Tension: Courts vs Media

South Africa has a long and complicated history with gag orders. From apartheid-era censorship to more recent attempts to silence investigative outlets like amaBhungane and Daily Maverick, the country’s courts have often become arenas where the right to free expression collides with the right to dignity.

In this case, the stakes are high. If the court rules in Mashawana’s favour, it could set a precedent that allows powerful individuals to muzzle reporting before allegations are tested in public.

Public and Social Media Reaction

On social media, the story has already triggered heated debate. Supporters of Daily Maverick argue that investigative journalism is one of the few tools holding the powerful to account in a country still grappling with the aftershocks of state capture. Many see Mashawana’s move as an attempt to intimidate reporters.

Others, however, have raised concerns about the reputational damage caused by publishing allegations before a court has confirmed wrongdoing. In a climate where corruption stories dominate headlines, some South Africans feel the line between exposing the truth and trial by media is growing thinner.

Bigger Picture

The hearing comes at a challenging moment for Daily Maverick. Just last week, the publication announced staff retrenchments for the first time in its 15-year history, highlighting the financial pressures investigative journalism faces in South Africa.

This case isn’t just about one businessman’s reputation or one journalist’s story. It’s a test of whether South Africa’s courts will lean towards transparency and accountability, or prioritise the reputational interests of those under scrutiny.

For readers and citizens, the outcome will speak volumes about the health of media freedom in the country.

Source:EWN 

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