SABC journo dies of broken heart
Year of untold hell after taking a stand
Senior SABC journalist Suna Venter, one of the eight rehired after being fired by the broadcaster in 2016, was found dead in her flat yesterday.
The 32-year-old was one of the so-called SABC 8 who received the Nat Nakasa Award for bravery last year after they challenged the SABC’s illegal editorial policies and undue influence in the newsroom.
Over the past year, Venter had received death threats and had been victimised, intimidated, assaulted, abducted and shot, following the stance she took within the SABC.
Venter, who was a senior producer of Radio Sonder Grense (RSG) current affairs programmes, was recently diagnosed with stress cardiomyopathy, better known as the “broken heart syndrome”. The condition is said to be caused by trauma and prolonged periods of unnatural stress.
“Those closest to her believe that her condition was exacerbated, if not caused, by the events of the past year,” her family said in the statement.
Foeta Krige, executive producer of RSG current affairs, said Venter had developed an extremely high heart rate after a break-in in March.
Krige called Venter one of the most dedicated and passionate journalists he ever had the pleasure of working with.
When doctors advised her to leave the stressful environment at the SABC, she replied she could not go before the battle was won, the family said.
Venter is survived by her parents, Phillip and Christa, and siblings Wilhelm and Tessa.
The SABC last night confirmed the death of Venter. SABC spokesman Kaizer Kganyago said in a statement: “The SABC interim board expresses its shock at the news of the sudden death of Ms Suna Venter.”