Statement on EFF attack on TNA & ANN7

ALL freedom-loving democrats in South Africa should condemn the leader of the EFF for his utterences and threats against the staff of The New Age and TV-channel ANN7.

In a scene reminiscent of a previous outburst against a BBC journalist, Malema today [Thursday] made it clear that our journalists and cameramen were no longer welcome at EFF events.

Midway through his press conference launched a savage attack on the Gupta family (who are shareholders and naturalised South Africans), the newspaper and the TV channel.

In his attack, he said the safety of our reporters could not be guaranteed at EFF events.

Malema, as a MP has sworn to uphold the constitution, violated the constitutional rights of the reporters on several issues. Apart from trampling on their dignity, he threatened violence against them in a manner that amounted to hate speech.

This was in flagrant breach of clause 12 of the Bill of Rights relating to the freedom and security of the person.

He would also have to explain himself when required to bind himself to the IEC's electoral code of conduct. Parties are required to commit to a set of rules that among other things, states candidates "must speak out against political violence and threats against other parties, the IEC, members of the public and the media".

In his diatribe, Malema failed to take into account the need for the free exchange of ideas and views which is the role of journalists allowed to operate in an environment where they are not operating under the threat of violence.

Statement issued by Moegsien Williams, Editor-in-Chief, The New Age and ANN7, 5 February 2016