eNCA dismisses anchor Heidi Giokos over undeclared side hustle

Broadcaster eNCA terminated veteran news anchor Heidi Giokos, business anchor Rofhiwa Madzena and a senior technical staff member after an internal disciplinary hearing found they had failed to disclose external work, including a paid car advertisement, in breach of the channel’s conflict‑of‑interest policies. The dismissals have ignited discussion within South Africa’s media sector about the balance between journalists’ supplemental income activities and the need for clear contractual declarations to preserve editorial independence.

Giokos later broke her silence on social media, thanking supporters and reaffirming her commitment to truth‑telling and journalistic integrity. The episode underscores ongoing concerns about how media organisations enforce conflict‑of‑interest rules and the broader implications for journalistic standards in the country.