The South African National Editors’ Forum [Sanef] called on the police on Thursday to apologise for detaining two photographers and a cameraman at the court appearance of an alleged rhino-poaching syndicate.
“Sanef is shocked at the arrest of three press photographers and the manhandling of one of them,” Sanef said in a statement.
It said it raised questions about the government’s motives, especially when considered within the context of the draft Protection of Information Bill, which could see journalists ending up in jail for publishing classified information, even in the public interest.
“It is difficult to avoid concluding that there is a determined authoritarian plan by the government and its officials to severely restrict the publication of news and information and a heavy clampdown on the public’s right to know,” said Sanef.
South African Press Association (Sapa) photographer Werner Beukes, Beeld photographer Herman Verwey and SABC cameraman Lewellyn Carstens were held for 45 minutes at the Musina police station on Wednesday morning.
They were taking pictures of a group of people accused of being members of a rhino-poaching ring.
The police eventually released them after intervention from the National Prosecuting Authority.
“Sanef condemns the police conduct, especially as it follows numerous serious complaints to Police Commissioner Bheki Cele about such intolerable, if not illegal, treatment being meted out by the police to photographers and journalists for no reason.
“Sanef calls for an apology from the police to the photographers and the firm assurance that police will be ordered to cease these attacks on journalists and that those who act in this way will be severely punished.” — Sapa