South African authorities must investigate assault on two journalists – CPJ

The Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ, has asked the South African authorities to investigate alleged assault on two journalists, Gaddafi Zulu and Silindelo Masikane.

The group’s Africa Program Coordinator, Angela Quintal disclosed this on Thursday in a statement after a purported assault on journalists in South Africa on 25 and 28 February, respectively.

CPJ said one of the journalists was assaulted by members of an opposition Party, Economic Freedom Fighters in South Africa.

Masikane, a reporter with a local privately owned broadcaster eNCA, is one of the victims of the assault.

In the case of Zulu, a reporter with Zululand Observer, the attack was carried out by a former Major and his body guards.

“South African authorities must thoroughly investigate the unprovoked assaults on journalists Gaddafi Zulu and Silindelo Masikane, and all those responsible must face the consequences for such outrageous actions.

“Failure to arrest and successfully prosecute the perpetrators will simply encourage open season on journalists covering events of public interest, including by assaulting and filing retaliatory charges against members of the press”, the statement by Quintal reads in part