The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) on Thursday called on President Jacob Zuma to use his influence and make a personal request to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi to release South African photographer Anton Hammerl.
“Sanef urges President Zuma to reinforce Sanef’s call on Gaddafi by making a personal request to Gaddafi for Hammerl’s release and the other journalists’,” it said in a statement.
The forum said it was perturbed by reports that Zuma failed to raise the issue of Hammerl’s detention with the Libyan leader when he headed an African Union delegation in talks with Gaddafi this week.
Zuma was in Libya on Sunday, where he met with Gaddafi in a bid to broker a ceasefire.
The Times on Monday quoted presidential spokesperson Zizi Kodwa as saying that Hammerl’s release “could not have been discussed” as Zuma was in the country to present the AU’s “roadmap”, and to facilitate a dialogue between Gaddafi and his opposition.
This had the angered the Hammerl family, who told the South African Press Association on Tuesday that they felt let down.
‘Encouraged’
Sanef said it was pleased by other efforts.
“We are … encouraged by news that the Department of International Cooperation has sought the help of the United States, among others, to help track the whereabouts of Hammerl.”
Hammerl, a freelance photographer who used to work for the Star newspaper, was one of four journalists who went missing on April 4 in eastern Libya.
The other three, reportedly seized by militia loyal to Gaddafi, are Clare Morgana Gillis of the TheAtlantic.com; James Foley, a freelance reporter with GlobalPost.com; and Spanish photographer Manu Brabo.
Sanef said this capture should have been prevented by government forces as they were carrying out legitimate reporting duties, as approved by the United Nations, of which Libya was a member. — Sapa