The National Press Club (NPC) has called on police to arrest the three people believed to be behind the armed robbery of a TV crew in Mamelodi East this week.
“The NPC views the attack on a TV crew in Mamelodi East in a serious light and calls on the police to do their job and search for and arrest the perpetrators,” veteran journalist and deputy chairperson Jos Charle said.
eNCA’s First Take anchor Xoli Mngambi, producer Koketso Dlongolo and cameramen Mbudzeni Bulasigobo, and Gift Shabalala were robbed at gun point while filming an insert at a private clinic.
“It is disturbing that media operatives going on about their job in marginalised communities could still be targets of rampaging criminals without consequences,” he said.
Charle said it was a dismaying thought that armed guards could be needed to escort reporters and technical staff when they entered certain communities out of fear of physical harm – or worse.
He added that this was not the first attack of its kind.
“However, we are pleased that our colleagues escaped with their lives but we are not fooled about the possible long-lasting effect of this attack on their psyche.
“We wish them healing from the ordeal,” he said.
Channel spokesperson Lerato Maboi echoed similar sentiment, adding the TV crew was safe and unharmed.
“The channel takes this matter seriously and will be assisting the staff members with trauma counselling.”
Police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubela said a task team had been established to gather more information and arrest the perpetrators.
The camera equipment stolen included two cameras, two sound bags and a tripod.
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