Sparks fly after SANEF granted court interdict
The South African Editors Forum (SANEF), has been granted an interdict against the Black First Land First (BLF) movement, led by Andile Mngxitama.
SANEF approached the court, after the BLF staged a protest outside, Tiso Blackstar Editor, Peter Bruce's house last week.
The BLF then released a list of journalists they’re targeting – claiming they’re protecting white interests and corruption.
This morning, Judge Corrie Van Der Westhuizen, ordered the BLF to denounce violence on their website and all its social media accounts within the next 12hours.
Within minutes after the ruling was handed down, verbal spats between BLF and some members of the media broke out.
SANEF chairperson, Mahlatse Gallens says police need to take action.
"It is important that police now take action. We have taken this matter as far as we could. We wanted to uphold the rule of law and defend the rights of journalist to do their work," says Gallens.
She says the BLF has threatened hard working journalists.
"Media freedom speaks to the public's right to know. They are trying to silence the media so that the public does not know. They have targeted journalists who have done in depth reporting on allegations of corruption and state capture. We will not be deterred. It’s quite unfortunate that race has been used to deflect from the real issues," she says.