Mystery surrounds Jeffreys' resignation from Die Burger

The sudden resignation of editor Henry Jeffreys from Afrikaans newspaper Die Burger yesterday, Wednesday, 7 April 2010, has engendered a heated debate in the corridors of the media fraternity, with some speculation that he was pushed after a series of clashes reached a boiling point.

By Issa Sikiti da Silva

8 Apr 2010

Mystery surrounds Jeffreys' resignation from Die Burger

The refusal of both parties to shed the light on the broken relationship, which some have said has been ‘far from perfect', is reinforcing the notion that something fishy is being hidden from the South African public.

Fierce resistance

Any attempt to seek further clarity on the saga is being met by fierce resistance from the newspaper's staff, with deputy editor Willem Jordaan categorically asking anyone with a probing mind to contact Media24 spokesperson Lutfia Vayej.

Approached for comment, Jeffreys said: “Unfortunately I have to refer you to Media24 for comment on this matter.”

Vayej told Bizcommunity.com today, Thursday 8 April, that Jeffreys was offered a position of group political commentator for Media24's Afrikaans broadsheet titles, but he decided not to accept the offer and chose to leave the employment at Media24.

What did happen?

So what did happen? What is Media24 hiding from the public? Is it in the interest of the public to know? The truth will come out, sooner or later. The digging continues...

For more:

Bizcommunity Search: Henry Jeffreys
Twitter Search: Henry Jeffreys OR Jeffreys
Twitter Search: Bun Booyens
Grubstreet.co.za: Media musical chairs: Die Burger gets a new editor

Issa Sikiti da Silva

About Issa Sikiti da Silva

Issa Sikiti da Silva is a winner of the 2010 SADC Media Awards (print category). He freelances for various media outlets, local and foreign, and has travelled extensively across Africa. His work has been published both in French and English. He used to contribute to Bizcommunity.com as a senior news writer.