Zuma guards slammed again for 'thuggery'

[BBSA]

http://www.mg.co.za/article/2010-03-17-zuma-guards-slammed-for-apartheidera-thuggery

The actions of President Jacob Zuma's bodyguards, who forced a journalist to delete pictures of the presidential cavalcade, harked back to apartheid-era "thuggery and censorship", the Professional Journalists' Association (PJA) said on Wednesday.

It was responding to 702 Eyewitness News reporter Tshepo Lesole being grabbed by bodyguards and forced to delete pictures he had taken while Zuma was visiting the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on Tuesday.

"As a member of the press, Lesole is fully entitled to take pictures of the presidential cavalcade [as is any member of the public]. That he was detained for doing so, and forced to delete the images, harks back to apartheid-era thuggery and censorship," said the newly formed PJA.

It called on the police, whether they were VIP units or not, to respect the rights of working journalists, and wanted the bodyguards to be held accountable.

Lesole was not immediately available for comment, but colleague Stephen Grootes said they were covering the visit when they spotted the cavalcade of at least 10 BMWs and thought it would make a good picture.

"Suddenly ... he was surrounded by about four or five guys, they were shouting, screaming, holding him back, holding him by the wrist, and really shouting at him," said Grootes.

"I kept shouting, 'come on, talk about this', and they just refused to listen."

Lesole was then dragged around the corner and his pictures were deleted.

On the radio station's website, Lesole was quoted as saying that stories of the arrest and allegations of torture of a student in Cape Town came to mind during the incident.

 

[copacetic]

Buffoons.

 

[Mila]

Disgusting Little man

 

[I am Penguin]

Africa, Oh Africa, what has becometh of thee.................

 

[Ancalagon]

But this is how the ANC likes to govern - like a mafia. its no surprise anymore.

 

[blunomore]

So were there other journalists from print media and other radio stations there ? Anything happened to them or were they left in peace to click away ?

 

[HavocXphere]

Had a similar thing happen to me when I took some pics of a protest at the uni. Apparently some people with MP5s really really don't like people taking pics of their vehicle.

 

[Drunkard #1]

Hasn't he heard of EyeFi? He could have his pics posted on the web before the thug could say "HEY, YOU!". Amateurs.