Critics say News24, journalist Jan Cronje, and Yusuf Abramjee omitted key context, unfairly making Mayor Nasiphi Moya the face of problems dating back to DA-led administrations.
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| Yusuf Abramjee (left), News24 logo (centre), and Mayor Nasiphi Moya (right) in the image combination circulating online. Image source Facebook |
News24 and journalist Jan Cronje, along with media personality Yusuf Abramjee, are facing public backlash over an article and social media post that critics say unfairly portray Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya as responsible for long-standing failures originating under previous Democratic Alliance (DA) administrations.
The controversy stems from a 12 August 2025 News24 report titled “Fix the market or jail: Judge puts Tshwane mayor, city manager on notice.” The article covers a Pretoria High Court ruling requiring Moya and municipal manager Johann Mettler to submit a detailed plan within 30 days to repair the Tshwane Fresh Produce Market or face a one-month jail sentence, suspended if they comply.
Historical Context
The court order is not new. It was first issued in October 2022, under then-mayor Randall Williams (DA), with an instruction to allocate R18 million for market repairs. The order was not implemented.
Williams was succeeded by Cilliers Brink (DA), whose term was marred by accusations of prioritising service delivery in predominantly white areas while neglecting Black communities. Under Brink’s leadership, the city continued to face infrastructure decay and administrative instability. He was voted out in October 2024, replaced by Moya through a coalition arrangement.
Fix the market or jail: Judge puts Tshwane mayor, city manager on notice https://t.co/HH7jJeuFmw
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) August 12, 2025
Public Criticism
Critics argue the News24 headline and Abramjee’s social media amplification omit crucial context:
- Moya was not in office when the failures occurred.
- Two DA-led administrations had the opportunity to comply with the court order but did not.
- Moya has, according to residents, made strides in improving service delivery across all communities since taking office.
Social media users accuse Abramjee of bias, noting a perceived pattern of highlighting alleged failures of Black leaders while downplaying or ignoring shortcomings under white officials. This, they argue, contributes to an unfair public narrative that places blame on Moya for problems she inherited.
The article was authored by Jan Cronje, a seasoned journalist at News24’s business desk. While Cronje reported the facts of the court ruling, critics argue his piece omitted critical historical context namely, that the order to fix the market was issued in 2022 under a DA administration. By not including this background prominently, they contend, the framing left casual readers with the impression that Moya was directly responsible for the failures, reinforcing the perception of biased coverage.
Media Accountability Concerns
The backlash highlights broader concerns about selective framing in South African media. Critics say high-profile failures under DA leadership in Tshwane received less urgent and personalised coverage, while Moya’s inherited challenges are being presented in ways that can damage her reputation.
While Moya is legally responsible for ensuring compliance with the court order in her current role, her supporters insist that coverage should reflect the full historical and political context to avoid misleading the public.
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