Press club condemns ‘cops threatening journalists’ covering ANC conference shooting

The National Press Club (NPC) expressed its concern that journalists “were threatened by the police” when they “were trying to report and take pictures of the alleged shooting at the African National Congress’ (ANC) Tshwane Mayoral elective conference”.

“Deputy chairperson of the NPC and Rekord content manager‚ Simone Heradien‚ was on Sunday forbidden by the South African Police Services (SAPS) to take photos within a public precinct of an alleged crime scene‚” a statement said.

“…Colonel Modise of Central SAPS told Heradien that she could not take photos despite the fact that she was on the side of the street in a public spot‚ clear of the police cordoned off taped barricade of the alleged crime scene.

“Explaining to Colonel Modise that he was interfering with media freedom and that it remained entirely legal to take photos within a public space‚ he insisted that no photos be taken. In addition‚ Heradien was equally threatened by ANC supporters/members in ANC-T-shirts not to take photos.

“A journalist from Pretoria News‚ Sakhile Nldazi‚ was also threatened by the same ANC supporters/members from reporting on the incident. He was also told that media was not welcome on the scene nor to report on the matter‚ or take photos.”

The tussle the journalists were trying to cover apparently began as a dispute among ANC members‚ “which saw the incident spill onto the street”.

The incident took place opposite the Tshwane Events Centre where the Tshwane region of the ANC was holding its mayoral elective conference to decide on a candidate. The ruling party’s choice is to be announced on Monday.

News 24 quoted current Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa's spokesman Blessing Manale as saying the “shooting took place…before the arrival of the leadership to give the outcome the final candidates decision. One person was injured and taken to hospital and the metro police and SAPS are on site and no arrests have been made”.

NPC chairperson Tanya de Vente “condemned the interfering of media in the workplace”.

“According to The SAPS Standing Order number 156 Section 10 (a) (c)‚ ‘a media representative may not be prohibited from taking photographs or making visual recordings’”.

She said journalists should be allowed to report the news without any fear‚ intimidation or harassment.