The South African National Editors Forum (Sanef) has described the alleged assault on Sowetan reporter Vusi Ndlovu as one of the most brutal attacks on a journalist in the post-apartheid era.
Ndlovu was allegedly kidnapped and assaulted on Saturday when he attended an Itutheng Trust school hall meeting. Itutheng Trust principal Jackie Maarohanye allegedly incited the crowd to detain him and beat him up.
‘This is one of the most brazen, brutal and blatant attacks on a journalist in the post-apartheid era and we condemn it unreservedly,” a Sanef statement says.
‘Previously a woman who basked in the media limelight, she has now taken to beating up the messenger. This is unacceptable. The media spotlight has been shone on Maahoranye who faces allegations of defrauding global and local funders of her Itutheng Trust.
‘It is the media’s job to expose egregious breaches of the public trust. In doing so, journalists must be allowed to work without fear of violence; it is one of the fruits of our democracy,” concludes Sanef.