The SA National Editors' Forum has asked for a meeting with Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa to discuss allegations that journalists are being threatened by state security agencies.
Sanef executive director Femida Mehtar said: "[Sanef] has also requested that he inform members of the [security] cluster of Sanef's grave concerns that the two journalists could be seriously harmed if the threats are carried out, and that journalists as a whole will feel insecure and intimidated.
"Sanef has urged the minister to request all assistance from his colleagues in investigating these shocking incidents."
The Sunday Times reported that two of its journalists, Mzilikazi wa Africa and Stephan Hofstatter, had been threatened.
Wa Africa said he was tipped off by sources close to intelligence bodies that he was "a marked man" and that "hitmen have been hired".
The newspaper said it provided security for the two men when it became aware, earlier this year, that their movements and their phone calls were being "monitored".
Wa Africa said in a sworn statement last week that he had had two threatening encounters and was warned in December that he would be killed by hitmen wearing police uniform.
Wa Afrika was arrested last year outside the Sunday Times offices in Johannesburg. He was accused of distributing a fake letter of resignation from Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza to President Jacob Zuma. The charges were later "provisionally" dropped.
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