22 March 2023
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) condemns attacks on SABC journalists who were covering the EFF-led “national shutdown” events in Nyanga, Cape Town on Monday.
SANEF has learnt that the incident happened in the early hours of Monday on the N2 near Borcherds Quarry in Nyanga. The crew was gathering visuals of the national shutdown when two men approached their vehicle and hit the car with an object.
An SABC crew member seated on the front of the vehicle was struck on the head with the object. He was taken to hospital.
We are troubled by increasing incidents of violence against Journalists around the country, including in Cape Town townships, where some journalists were previously robbed. We wish to remind all South Africans about the importance of a free media, which is vital to a functioning democracy – exposing wrongdoing & corruption and bringing the powerful to account.
In his message on the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists in November last year, UN Secretary-General António Guterres called on governments and the international community to take action to protect the professionals who bring us the news. “Governments must do more to protect journalists & stand up for truth, justice & human rights.”
South Africa has endorsed the UN action plan which aims to protect journalists, prevent crimes against them, and pursue their perpetrators. Therefore, we call on law enforcement officers to investigate these incidents and bring perpetrators to book.
Note to Editors:
The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists, and journalism trainers from all areas of South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics, and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism through fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research, and education and training programmes. SANEF is not a union.
For more information please contact:
Sbu Ngalwa – SANEF Chairperson (073) 404-1415
Nwabisa Makunga – SANEF Deputy Chairperson (082) 555-1972
Qaanitah Hunter – SANEF Secretary-General
Tshamano Makhadi – Treasurer-General (082) 223 0621
Makhudu Sefara – SANEF Media Freedom Chair (079) 177-2134
Judy Sandison – SANEF KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
Dr. Glenda Daniels – SANEF Gauteng Convenor (083) 229-9708
Rochelle De Kock – SANEF Eastern Cape Convenor (072) 969-8028
Reggy Moalusi – SANEF Executive Director (071) 682-3695
Twitter: @SAEditorsForum
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sanef.org.za