Sanef adds its voice to concerns about the safety of journalists covering violent protests

'Sanef condemns attacks on SABC and Caxton journalists in violent looting incidents.'

Joburg East Express journalist Tshepiso Mametela had his camera bag and equipment taken while making his way back to his car after engaging with the Minister of Police Bheki Cele. He encountered a dispersing mob and attempted to run for cover and tripped, which was when the equipment was taken. He also noticed damage to his vehicle and believes that this was caused by another car fleeing the area.

The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) condemned attacks on Caxton journalist Tshepiso Mametela from Joburg East Express and SABC journalist Sashin Naidoo on Monday.

The EXPRESS reported yesterday that the Forum of Community Journalists (FCJ) had also expressed concern after Mametela, a member of FCJ, suffered damages while covering the outbreak of violence in Johannesburg.

Also read: Forum of Community Journalists concerned about journos’ safety

Mametela was reporting on the violence and looting of shops in Jeppestown when his vehicle was damaged and his camera bag, containing camera equipment, was taken from him.

“What happened to this journalist is ultimately a crime. Journalists need the tools of their trade to do their jobs. They need their cameras. They need vehicles,” said FCJ executive director Hugo Redelinghuys.

Also read: Lt-Gen Mawela gives overview of protests in Joburg East

“It is concerning that this journalist covered the news at the cost of suffering damages. Journalists should be able to live out their passion for reporting the news without the fear of intimidation or risk,” said Redelinghuys.

Mametela suspects the car was damaged by another vehicle trying to get out of the area.

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In a statement released by Sanef, it is explained that Naidoo was also covering the violent looting in Jeppestown and Malvern.

“He managed to escape from looters without being personally harmed, but his car was severely damaged by looters. Naidoo was on his way to a briefing with Police Minister Bheki Cele.

Also read: Joburg shop owners remove goods from business premises to prevent further looting (Multimedia)

“Sanef is relieved that both Mametela and Naidoo weren’t harmed, but we are concerned that journalists are more frequently being attacked and more frequently being caught in the crossfire of violent attacks.

Also read: Chaos erupts overnight as protesters descend on Joburg streets

“Sanef believes that it is essential that violent protests and looting are covered – and covered in depth – so that citizens understand the reasons behind the looting, the triggers and, ultimately, how to stop this in the future.

“As Sanef we are committed to supporting media companies to provide training and support to ensure the safety of journalists. Sanef believes that it is essential that members of the public are educated to understand the role of the media in covering stories, including the role of the media in covering protests, incidents of violence, looting and so forth. Journalists need to be protected by citizens so that they can move freely – and so they can ask the hard questions, talk truth to power and, ultimately, get to the bottom of why these violent incidents are happening, including ways to stop the violence and remedies to the deep underlying causes,” Sanef stated.

Also read: Video Report: Malvern and Jeppestown protestors leave a trail of distruction (multimedia)

Also read: “They said my shop is on fire” – Jules Street shop owner speaks (Video)

“Journalists should be able to live out their passion for reporting the news without the fear of intimidation or risk,” said Hugo Redelinghuys, executive director of the FCJ.

Watch: Joburg shop owners remove goods from business premises to prevent further looting (Multimedia)