Source: SA cops filmed harassing scribes at BeitBridge – NewsDay Zimbabwe November 18, 2017
JOURNALISTS from the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) on an assignment at Beitbridge Border Post were yesterday heckled by policemen from their country.
BY OWN CORRESPONDENT
One of the policemen was filmed using his service cap to block a camera, an incident that has attracted scorn from both the police and the public.
The South African Police Services (SAPS) yesterday condemned the embarrassing incident, describing it as “isolated and unrepresentative of the police behaviour”.
“The provincial management of the South African Police Services in Limpopo has taken note of the incident that took place this morning in which our members were apparently seen manhandling journalists of the SABC during the morning live programme at Beitbridge Border Post,” Province Police Commander Commissioner Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba said in a statement.
“We condemn the actions of these members and would like to take this opportunity to assure members of the community in general and the SABC, in particular, that the police are not in any way mandated to harass or manhandle any member of the media.”
Ledwaba said his organisation had “cultivated a sound working relationship with journalists from all media houses” and apologised for the goof.
“We apologise unreservedly and we respect the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa with all its limitations and we have the responsibility of protecting all citizens, including journalists. We, however, regard what happened this morning as an isolated incident which does not represent the general behaviour of members of the South African Police Service,” he said.
Police will conduct an internal investigation into the matter with a view of taking corrective measures, he said.
Some Zimbabwean cross-border travellers have complained that SA police harass them, making undue demands for cash.
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