The South African Editors Forum (SANEF) is gravely concerned by the way local journalists are treated when trying to report threads to their safety at the local police stations.
It appears that two renowned and seasoned news journalists, Mzilikazi Wa Afrika and his colleague Piet Rampedi, from Independent Media, were turned away by the Bramley police when they tried to open a case.
According to SANEF in a statement issued by executive director Kate Skinner and Sbu Ngalwa from Media Freedom on 10 July, the pair lodged a formal complaint with the Office of the Inspector General of Intelligence as they believe they are being followed and their phones are being bugged.
They then went to the Bramley Police Station to open a case of intimidation and harassment but were allegedly turned away.
In the statement from SANEF, Wa Afrika was quoted as saying: “We went to the Bramley Police Station to open a case of intimidation and harassment but the police told us it is not a criminal matter if a person follows you and takes photos of you and your vehicle…. You need to be physically pushed about.”
The pair believes that the harassment is linked to their reporting on the so called “rogue unit” at the SA Revenue Services (SARS).
When contacted on 12 July, the spokesperson for the Bramley Police Station, Captain Molefe Mogodi, claimed he was not unaware of the incident, but rather requested that the two escalate the matter with his senior managers.
“I was not there and I have no knowledge of this incident.
“However, I can advise them to come back to the station and lodge a complaint with the management. They can ask to see the acting station commander and explain to him their grievance,” said Mogodi.
He said any person who is not satisfied with a service received at the police station should escalate the matter with high ranking officials so that their grievances can be investigated.
“If you’re not satisfied, ask for a senior officer in charge and if he or she fails you again, continue to escalate it until you are satisfied,” he advises.
SANEF, however, said it notes with concern the ongoing attacks, harassment and intimidation of journalists.
“We call on all elected leaders as well as the law enforcement authorities to take seriously the safety of journalists.
“We believe that any incident that hampers the safety of journalists must be taken seriously,” concluded the statement.
Details: admin@sanef.org.za
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