Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 19-12-2017
The South African National Editors Forum (Sanef) says it has met with the African National Congress (ANC) following a number of incidents involving journalists including chair of Sanef’s media freedom subcommittee, Sam Mkokeli reporting on the party’s 54th national congress at Nasrec in Soweto.
Sanef says it has received many complains from reporters who’ve experienced harsh treatment or even alleged harassment at the hands of security officials.
“These include pictures which have been deleted, a journalist who was punched in the stomach, another journalist with prosthetic legs who was pushed down and female journalists who have reported being inappropriately touched by marshals inside the Plenary hall.”
Sanef says the ANC has apologised for what has happened and will now try and get Mkokeli’s accreditation back, after he handed it over to avoid being further manhandled.
The ANC has requested journalists who experience who’ve been ill-treated to report all incidents as soon as they happen so that they can attend to them.
It has also pledged to investigate Tuesday’s matter and speak to security about incidents of inappropriate behaviour and touching by marshals.
While the ANC says there have also been reported security breaches by journalists, Sanef has urged members of the media to respect the security arrangements currently in place – as uncomfortable and undesirable as they may be.
Watch journalist Sam Mkokeli mandhandled by police at the 54th ANC Conference. (Video: News24)
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