On Friday, 7 September, the head of the SABC’s Special Assignment team Jacques Pauw had resigned from the national broadcaster. The reasons for his resignation are alleged to be a loss of confidence in the leadership of the organisation. The broadcaster released a statement on Friday morning that said the organisation had accepted his resignation, and added, “While the SABC acknowledges that Pauw has the right to his opinions, we however do not agree with the reasons given in his resignation letter". It was added that, with the type of stories that Pauw had investigated, "it [was] clear that there [was] no justification for the reasons he ... put forward”. Although neither the broadcaster nor Pauw could provide reasons for the resignation, the Mail & Guardian reported that it had a copy of Pauw’s resignation letter. One of the extracts published stated, “I did not intend to resign today, but after the publication of [SABC boss Dali Mpofu's letter to Sanef], I have no other option but to offer my resignation... I take offence against a statement that the SABC is 'not prepared to associate with the enemies of our freedom and our people'”. The extract went on to say, “It is clear that the SABC has deteriorated into nothing less than a state broadcaster”.