Sbu Ngalwa Sanef chairperson
The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) welcomes the arrest of suspects following an attack on journalists at Fish Hoek beach over the weekend.
On Saturday, eNCA journalist Monique Mortlock was assaulted while attempting to interview an anti-mask protest organiser at Fish Hoek Beach. The man refused to speak to her and ripped her mask off, while another journalist, Athi Mtongana from Newzroom Afrika, was also attacked.
Monique Mortlock tweeted: “We are on Fish Hoek beach to cover the #WeAreMore protest against lockdown. But one of the organisers just assaulted me, even with officers around us. He refused to speak to me because I’m wearing a mask.” A demonstrator then threw her phone onto the ground when she attempted to conduct an interview.
Mtongana tweeted: “Protesters at Fish Hoek beach approached us and asked if we’re media. Told us that anyone wearing a mask supports paedophiles.” An elderly woman then slapped the phone out of her hand.
Sanef is encouraged to hear that about the swift interventions of law enforcement agencies who reacted to the shocking attack on the two female journalists at the weekend and arrested some of the demonstrators concerned. They will face charges relating to assault and crimen injuria. Sanef wishes to thank the SAPS for its prompt response.
Sanef notes that protesters took to the beach to call for an end to lockdown restrictions when the assault happened. However, some broke the law and endangered the lives of the journalists on the scene by forcing them to take off their masks. We wish to remind communities that forcefully removing someone’s mask is an infringement to their rights to safety by the same people who want their stories told.
Sbu Ngalwa is the chairperson of Sanef.
The Star