The South African National Editors Forum (Sanef) has expressed concerns about recent incidents of aggression and violence against journalists while they are doing their jobs.

The first incident happened on Tuesday, 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.

In a statement released today, Sanef said the incident involved the unacceptable deletion of photos and videos from 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,” said Sanef.

The forum explained that Mutsila said her attempts to identify herself as a member of the media were ignored.

“Instead, she was subjected to intimidation, and physical aggression, and forcibly removed from the building by at least four male security guards, acting upon the instruction of the bank’s group manager for Internal Protection Services.”

Sanef said it has been in contact with the management of Standard Bank, the sponsors of the Standard Bank Sikuvile Journalism Awards, and will soon be meeting with them to iron out these issues.

“We are encouraged by the willingness of Standard Bank to resolve the matter.”

Reporter manhandled

In another incident, Sanef said eNCA reporter Hloni Mtimkulu was physically manhandled and pushed out of a South African Post Office branch while she was interviewing government grant beneficiaries on their recent experience with the non-payment of grants.

“The post office is a public institution and journalists have a right to do their jobs. The Post Office cannot dictate to beneficiaries who they should be talking to.”

Sanef said it will write to Minister of Communications Mondli Gungubele to express its displeasure at the behaviour of the staff at the Post Office.

Journalist harassed

In Makhanda, Eastern Cape, Sanef said journalist Anna Majavu – who works for Grocott’s Mail – was harassed while covering a case at the local magistrates’ court.

“Sanef fully supports the advisory board for Grocott’s Mail in expressing its condemnation of the attack on Majavu – who encountered threats, harassment, and physical violence.

“We reiterate the point that members of the public, who are unhappy with certain reporting have channels available to them to express their unhappiness.

“The Press Ombudsman is there to adjudicate any dispute between members of the public and a publication, free of charge just as the BCCSA [Broadcasting Complaints Commission of South Africa] adjudicates complaints relating to broadcasters. We encourage communities to utilise these available platforms.”

The forum said it believes that the safety of its journalists and media freedom are fundamental democratic principles that all peace-loving South Africans should safeguard.

“Any form of violence, intimidation, or threats against journalists is anathema to the South African constitution.

“The behaviour of the staff at the Post Office demonstrated an attitude that has become all too familiar for most South Africans whenever they have to deal with public institutions.

“That is an attitude of rudeness, disrespect, and even violence. Such behaviour is unacceptable and runs contrary to the principles of a free and democratic society. It is a serious infringement of press freedom, which is enshrined in the constitution,” said Sanef.