SANEF denounces incidents of aggression and intimidation towards journalists
22 September 2023
The South African National Editors Forum (SANEF) is disturbed by the recent incidents of aggression and violence against journalists while they are doing their job.
The first incident unfolded on Tuesday, 19 September, where the security personnel at Standard Bank, manhandled Daily Maverick reporter Lerato Mutsila while she was on duty. Mutsila was covering the Extinction Rebellion protest at the bank’s Johannesburg headquarters.
The incident involved the unacceptable deletion of photos and videos from Ms. Mutsila’s phone and her violent removal from the bank’s premises by security personnel.
We note that a charge of assault and unlawful deprivation of property has been filed with the South African Police Service (SAPS) by the journalist in response to this unacceptable behaviour.