Independent Media and the MK Party have strongly denied allegations from the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) regarding Sifiso Mahlangu's purported dual roles as editor of the Star and spokesperson for the MK Party. Mahlangu resigned from his editorial position on May 6, 2026, without revealing his political intentions. In response to SANEF's claims, Independent Media emphasized its commitment to editorial independence and political neutrality, stating that employees are prohibited from holding political office while working in journalism. Adri Senekal de Wet, Independent Editor-in-Chief, reiterated the company's strict policies, citing a past incident in 2014 where a journalist was fired for applying to join a political party. The MK Party's media head, Sipho Tyira, dismissed SANEF's statements as unfounded and criticized the organization for not addressing its own internal issues, including allegations against its chairperson. Tyira also called for SANEF to advocate for fair pay for black journalists in South Africa, highlighting ongoing disparities in compensation. The controversy raises important questions about the intersection of journalism and politics in South Africa.