Sanef, Police Minister meet over intimidation of journalists
The South African National Editors' Forum has held a meeting with Police Minister Fikile Mbalula over attempts to intimidate journalists.
It follows a picket outside the home of Tiso Blackstar editor-at-large Peter Bruce by members of the Black First Land First movement on Thursday.
During the picket, former editor and political commentator Karima Brown was threatened while Business Day editor Tim Cohen was reportedly assaulted.
BLF, which earlier this year defended the Gupta family's Saxonwold compound during nation-wide protests against President Jacob Zuma, claims Bruce, among other senior reporters, are covering up "white monopoly capital corruption".
It subsequently issued a statement, warning other white journalists of similar action.
But Sanef maintains journalists have a "right to privacy and the right not to have their safety and the safety of their families placed at risk".
Mbalula took to Twitter saying: "Media acceptance, not just mere tolerance is a cornerstone of our democratic order. We will protect all journalists from all media houses."
Sanef's Chris Kabwato meanwhile says they are very encouraged by Mbalula's indication that investigation will be carried out.
BLF meanwhile says it will not stop targeting individual journalists and will meet Sanef in court.