Sanef concerned at attempt to harass and intimidate community newspaper editor

The South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) is deeply concerned at the manner in which Andile Nomabhunga, the editor of The Informer, a community newspaper in the Alfred Nzo District of the Eastern Cape (Matatiele and Umzimvubu municipalities), has been charged by the police with trespassing at the home of a municipal manager Nontsikelelo Matubatuba, despite having interviewed her in the home before publishing a story about her alleged abuse of the municipal budget.

The story claimed that Matubatuba had used funds from the municipal budget allocated for music talent development to build a music studio in her home. Before publishing the story Nomabhunga visited the house to verify the allegations. He was invited into the home by people there and took pictures of a student receiving lessons in the studio.  He also conducted a lengthy interview with Matubatuba in the home.  At no stage was there any suggestion that he was trespassing.

Six days after publication of the story police arrested him in his office on a charge of trespass, which they told him had been laid by Matubatuba's husband, a lawyer. He was released on his own recognisances and was told to appear in court on Tuesday, December 3.

Sanef is concerned that the police are acting on a complaint which has no substance and appears to be an attempt to harass and intimidate Nomabhunga for publishing the story which clearly contained important information in the public interest. Sanef strongly protests at what it construes as an attempt to interfere with the freedom of expression rights of the paper.

Statement issued by Mpumelelo Mkhabela, Sanef Chairperson and Adriaan Basson, Sanef Media Freedom Committee Chairperson, December 2 2013

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