Cosatu condemns harassment of media at ANC conference
Trade union federation Cosatu has condemned the manner in which some members of the media have been treated at the African National Congress’ (ANC) national conference.
Several journalists who are covering the conference, are complaining of harassment and assault by police officers and private security deployed at the venue.
The complaints include alleged incidents of a journalist being punched in the stomach, another disabled journalist on prosthetic legs being pushed down and a female journalist being inappropriately touched.
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The South African National Editors Forum (Sanef) has met with the ANC to discuss the complaints.
Cosatu spokesperson Sizwe Pamla says people forget that reporters are workers too and that their rights need to be respected.
Pamla says the ANC is expected to be the custodian of the values and principles in the constitution.
Cosatu believes that the media should not be forced to work in an environment of fear, but has commended the ANC communications team for their swift response in dealing with the matter.
Pamla says the security guards should be reprimanded and held accountable.