INX Prime

The studios of INX Prime in Houghton were robbed on Monday, 16 January. Image: Stock/Pixabay.

Government denounces robbery at INX Prime, calls on police to protect media

The ‘military-style’ robbery at the studios of INX Prime, a new channel, in Houghton, has been condemned by government and SANEF.

INX Prime

The studios of INX Prime in Houghton were robbed on Monday, 16 January. Image: Stock/Pixabay.

The Government Communications and Information System (GCIS) condemned the robbery at the studios of INX Prime in Houghton on Monday, 16 January.

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INX PRIME STUDIOS ROBBED

INX Prime is a lifestyle channel with an “Islamic ethos.” The channel launched four months ago and is available on DStv channel 345 – it broadcasts across sub-Saharan Africa.

“The news of the robbery is indeed disturbing. It is particularly disheartening as INX Prime has only been on air for four months, with their broadcast reaching people in sub-Saharan Africa. It is vital that we have such platforms to tell the African story,” said GCIS Acting Director General, Michael Currin.

The government department said it is confident the police service would move swiftly to apprehend the perpetrators, saying crimes committed against the media robs them of expensive equipment, puts journalists’ lives in danger and robs viewers of access to crucial information.

The South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) also condemned the “military-style” robbery and said it was looking into how security measures could be improved to prevent future incidents. No injuries were reported.

“Crime continues to be one of the biggest scourges in SA, with journalists and their equipment not spared. We hope that the latest unfortunate robbery would spur the police to act and seek to arrest these criminals,” said SANEF Chairperson, Sbu Ngalwa.

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