I would supply weapons to Russia- Julius Malema. Image: @lebohang_elias/Twitter
Journalist allegedly harassed, forced to delete work by EFF officials
A journalist was allegedly harassed and forced by EFF officials to delete pictures he had taken of a stage collapsing.
I would supply weapons to Russia- Julius Malema. Image: @lebohang_elias/Twitter
The National Press Club (NPC) has condemned the alleged intimidation, harassment of North West Daily Sun journalist Rapula Mancai and the deletion of his work by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) officials.
The incident reportedly happened at the party’s 10th birthday commemoration at the Koppie outside Rustenburg in the North West on Wednesday, 26 July.
JOURNALIST INTIMIDATED BY EFF OFFICIALS
According to the Press Club, the photojournalist was covering the event at the Koppie when part of the stage collapsed shortly after party leader Julius Malema addressed the crowd.
The journalist captured the incident which irritated some party officials who then grabbed him, took him backstage where they confiscated his camera, stripped off his media accreditation and demanded that he delete pictures of the incident before he could get his working equipment back.
“According to Mancai, part of the EFF officials who harassed, intimidated, and forced him to delete the pictures was the party’s media liaison officer Thato Lebyane. The National Press Club has tried to engage the EFF on this matter, but there was no response,” the Press Club said.
ALSO READ: ‘Cows ‘n Cash’: Julius Malema asks South Africans to fund EFF’s 10-year anniversary party [WATCH]
ABUSE OF MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA SLAMMED
The National Press Club said behaviour and abuse of the journalist by EFF officials cannot be tolerated at all as it interferes with journalists’ right to freely do their job without hindrance. That is unconstitutional.
Furthermore it said it takes serious exception to this kind of intimidation and harassment of journalists, particularly from the party’s media officials.
National Press Club Secretary, Frans Sello waga Machate said it cannot be allowed that journalists continue to suffer abuse and intimidation for carrying out their journalistic duties.
“The EFF is obliged by The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa to protect the freedom of expression which include the freedom of the press and other media and freedom to receive or impart information or ideas among other democratic rights,” he said.
ALSO READ: EFF bans MPs, MPLs from attending its 10th anniversary rally – Here’s why
