Screenshot:Twitter@ezaap
Fish Hoek beach protest organiser who assaulted eNCA reporter forcefully arrested (Watch)
Monique Mortlock spoke of her shock on Twitter.
Screenshot:Twitter@ezaap
A protestor who assaulted a reporter with broadcaster eNCA on Fish Hoek beach in Cape Town was literally dragged to a police van by officers amid protests by fellow beach protestors.
The man, who according to eNCA reporter Monique Mortlock organized the protest and known as Clay, initially questioned the arresting officer before other policemen stepped in and forced him into the van.
The man has since been identified as Clay Wilson who had said: “the ultimate goal is to spread the message that people have a right and it’s time that we start expressing ourselves.”
“I am totally against the mask. I’m totally against the lockdown. I’m totally against the corrupt government, I mean they are telling us what to do…they’re telling us what to do but they are the ones that should be arrested,”
The group calling itself “We Are More” who gathered on Fish Hoek beach, calling for an end to lockdown.
eNCA reported that many of the protesters at Fish Hoek were at last week’s demonstration at Muizenberg to call for the reopening of beaches.
‘We Are More’
Wilson who had attempted to pull Mortlock’s mask from her face said he was “against the mask.”
“I’m totally against the corrupt government, I mean they are telling us what to do…they’re telling us what to do but they are the ones that should be arrested.”
Mortlock had earlier tweeted about the assault said she and her cameraman were on Fish Hoek Beach to cover the latest protest action against the lockdown.
She said she was completely shocked by the man’s behaviour, adding that police officers around her did “nothing.”
Mortlock said after “some kind Fish Hoek residents” berated Wilson over his conduct, he turned to her cameraman and hurled verbal abuse at her colleague.
Also on thesouthafrican.com: Video Essay: Watch how Muizenberg protesters ‘reclaimed’ the sea and sand
Protestor Yaseen Johnson said, “if we allow the government to just continue to enforce rules and regulations without really considering the public, then where is it really gonna stop?”
Organizers said this isn’t the last of their demonstrations and they’re planning to keep up the momentum in the coming weeks.
They have since released a statement condemning the incident and apologized to the eNCA journalist.
