Mpumalanga Community Safety, Security and Liaison MEC, Sibongile Manana has condemned the assault of Mpumalanga Sowetan Bureau Chief, Riot Hlatshwayo by police officers in Bushbuckridge over the weekend.
Hlatshwayo confirmed to the department that he was assaulted by police officer from Bushbuckridge instructed by Superintendent Fanie Molapo.
Hlatshwayo was covering a story about a traffic officer accused of bribery when Superintendent Molapo allegedly ordered his subordinate to assault him.
According to Hlatshwayo, he was assaulted for publishing a negative story he wrote about Molapo’s son. He claimed that he was assaulted in front of another journalist from Mpumalanga News, Ms Lungile Dube.
MEC Manana has called on the South African Police Service (SAPS) management to investigate the matter and take disciplinary actions if there is any wrongdoing on the part of the police officers.
“Our country has a Constitution that guarantees freedom of speech; therefore the journalists cannot be harassed or intimated while executing their duties. Should they break the law, they could only be arrested not be beaten. The police are the ones who must assist the state in upholding the law and not breaking it,” she said.
Manana says the media has an important role to speak for the voiceless and to act as watchdogs over government on behalf of communities.
“The government cannot therefore allow the situation where the relations between itself and other role players such as the media are compromised by rogue behaviour of police officers,” said Manana.
Enquiries:
Joseph Mabuza
Tel: 013 766 4055
Cell: 082 678 1450
Issued by: Department of Community Safety, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
16 February 2010
Source: Department of Community Safety, Mpumalanga Provincial Government
(http://www.mpumalanga.gov.za/safety_and_security/home.asp)
