The Freedom Front Plus joined Wednesday’s call for action against Tshwane mayor Gwen Ramokgopa’s bodyguards who have been accused of blocking access to her daughter’s court appearance.
”It was the journalists’ constitutional right to attend the proceedings. The mayor’s blue light brigade clearly regard themselves as above the law, including the Constitution. Their actions were completely out of line and there should be a disciplinary investigation”, the party’s councillor Conrad Beyers said in a statement.
They believed it was outrageous that ”about 18 personal bodyguards are reserved for the mayor while the residents of the city live in fear of crime”.
”The powers of these bodyguards should be reconsidered. Their only task is to ensure the safety of the mayor — the journalists posed no threat to her safety. They were only armed with pens, not swords.”
Pretoria police said they are investigating a charge against a man who allegedly assaulted a photographer during scuffles at the Hatfield Community Court.
Captain Jan Legoade said the police investigation would include considering whether other people were also involved.
This came after the Times photographer Daniel Born laid a charge of assault during the incident, which the South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) also called outrageous.
Ramokgopa’s 18-year-old daughter Lerato Lephoko was among six people arrested at school on Friday after police said they found dagga during searches. The five other pupils are minors and may not be identified.
Ramokgopa, formerly a health minister in Gauteng, had been open about her daughter’s arrest, saying the police’s approach helped identify children who may be vulnerable to drugs.
Journalists said her bodyguards prevented them from entering the Hatfield Community Court room, where the pupil was ordered to go on a drug counselling and anger management course.
She also allegedly bit a police officer during her arrest when she wasn’t allowed to use her phone.
Sanef said the guards’ behaviour was unacceptable, unlawful and unconstitutional and called on the mayor to act against the guards.
”Their conduct undermines the right to free press. We call on the mayor to act against those guards who acted in her name.”
Sanef urged the Justice Department to make sure such incidents didn’t happen in courts.
The Times reported on Wednesday that a man tried to wrench Born’s camera from him and punched him, while another kicked him. Reports said journalists from the SABC and Beeld were insulted.
A Tshwane metro spokesperson said he would comment after studying the Sanef statement. — Sapa