Faizel Patel, Radio Islam News – 03-07-2017
Minister of police Fikile Mbalula has lashed out at people marching to journalists’ homes saying the protestors will be suffocated.
Mbalula’s warning comes after Black First Land First (BLF) supporters protested outside Tiso Blackstar editor-at-large Peter Bruce’s home last week.
BLF released a list of journalists which includes Business Day editor-in-chief Peter Bruce, amaBhungane’s Sam Sole, News24 editor Adriaan Basson, 702 presenter Stephen Grootes, News24 columnist Max du Preez, Eyewitness News’ Barry Bateman and Biznews editor Alec Hogg they were going to target.
BLF also threated to protest as the homes of HuffPost SA editor-at-large Ferial Haffajee and EWN editor-in chief Katy Katopodis.
Mbalula condemned BLF, saying that he would use a harsh hand against people who marched to journalists’ homes to intimidate them.
He says the ANC can never agree with those that attack journalists.
“The ANC created the opportunity for you to be educated. That is why we will never agree when they attack journalists in their homes. We will arrest them.”
Mbalula says journalists have a right to freedom of speech.
“The day we allow you to march to people’s houses… we will be wrong.”
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) has demanded that BLF desists from its threatening actions against journalists, or face court action.
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