SABC Morning Live Initiative Dragged for Prison Interviews

Published 27 Aug 2026 at 5:46 PM

by Jessica Gcaba

3 min read

SABC Morning Live aired a live interview from the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre featuring a chartered accountant convicted of investment fraud
The inmate, identified as Connie van Nieuwkerk, admitted to diverting R5.5 million in client funds and revealed she still has some of the money set aside
Viewers lashed out at SABC for platforming criminals during Women's Month, arguing the segment ignored victims and overlooked everyday struggling women

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SABC interviwed inmates. — SABC Morning Live Initiative was dragged for their prison interviews. Image: Michele Spatari / AFP
Source: Getty Images

SABC News aired a candid live interview on Wednesday, 27 August 2026, from inside the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre in Naturena, and it quickly set social media alight. The segment, filmed indoors near yellow prison lockers in a sober, documentary-style setting, formed part of a broader feature on South Africa's 6,196 female inmates.

Among the women who spoke was Connie van Nieuwkerk, a chartered accountant serving a 10-year sentence for investment fraud. Filmed with on-screen graphics and a sign-language interpreter inset, she told the SABC journalist how she ended up behind bars.

How R5.5 million disappeared

Van Nieuwkerk explained that she had been working as a consultant rather than running her own business. "I'm a chartered accountant. So I was doing consulting to another company that I worked for," she said. Clients were invited to invest in the entity, but the funds never reached their intended destination — she diverted them instead.

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When asked directly whether she took the money, she did not flinch. "I did," she confirmed. The total amounted to R5.5 million. She described spending a portion of it on the company itself and the rest for personal use, adding that she arrived at the decision during a moment of financial pressure. "Sometimes you don't have an option and you choose the wrong option," she said.

Her family had no knowledge of what was happening at the time. She confirmed she was married with children when the offences took place.

Viewers question SABC's focus during Women's Month

The broadcast drew swift criticism from viewers who felt the spotlight was misplaced, especially during a month meant to honour women.

@luyolomkentane wrote:

"'Challenges being faced by female prisoners.' What about challenges faced by the victim's family?"

@blackpresidante directed a message at SABC and host Sakina Kamwendo:

"Stop platforming criminals. We have many people in rural areas who need just one minute to tell a story of their lives."

@l_phomolo put it bluntly:

"If you wanted to celebrate women, there is a woman somewhere in the streets of Johannesburg who woke up at 4 am to go and sell something to try to put bread on the table. Her story is not important neh??!!!!"

The segment also touched on daily routines and rehabilitation programmes available to the country's female offender population, with a National Commissioner interview planned to discuss support services.

Watch the SABC prison interview that sparked the debate