Sekunjalo Group condemns malicious use of Wikipedia to spread falsehoods

 In a strong statement, Dr Iqbal Survé and Sekunjalo Investment Holdings have condemned what they describe as a malicious and coordinated effort to use Wikipedia as a platform for disseminating false, defamatory, and misleading information regarding both Dr Survé and the Sekunjalo Group of companies. 

The statement revealed that evidence has come to light indicating that anonymous users on Wikipedia, operating under usernames such as @Gevaarlik and @Joker1Joker, have been targeting Dr Survé and Sekunjalo with unsubstantiated allegations, distorted facts, and hostile edits. 

Wikipedia has flagged these users as "single-purpose accounts," which are commonly created with the intent to promote or disparage a person or organisation. "This alone is a clear indication of bad faith and a deliberate campaign to besmirch reputations," the statement said. 

It continued, "This malicious campaign traces its origins to the acquisition of Independent Media by Dr  Survé and Sekunjalo, which has since seen a relentless attempt by detractors operating behind pseudonyms and abusing public platforms to undermine the Group’s credibility and influence public perception through lies and propaganda." 

Sekunjalo's response includes a formal letter of demand sent to Wikipedia, urging the organisation to fulfil its stated responsibility to moderate abuse on its platform. The statement outlined their demands, insisting that Wikipedia take immediate steps to remove the defamatory edits, prevent further malicious editing by the identified troll accounts, and restore editorial fairness to the relevant pages. 

"If Wikipedia fails to act decisively," the statement cautioned, "Sekunjalo and Dr Survé will initiate legal proceedings against both the platform and the individuals responsible. These proceedings will include criminal defamation, crimen injuria, and an extensive civil lawsuit for damages.

"We have already begun the process of identifying those responsible, and some of these individuals have been tracked. They will face the full force of the law—both criminally and civilly for their role in spreading lies with the intent to cause reputational harm," the statement concluded.

Sekunjalo Investment Holdings is adamant that if Wikipedia continues to allow its platform to be used as a weapon for character assassination by faceless individuals, it will not hesitate to hold the platform accountable legally, publicly, and without compromise. As this situation unfolds, the implications for Wikipedia's editorial practices and accountability are becoming a focal point of scrutiny in the ongoing battle against online misinformation.