Media Statement Issued by the South African Police Service National Media Centre

MEDIA STATEMENT ISSUED BY THE SOUTH AFRICAN POLICE SERVICE
NATIONAL MEDIA CENTRE

SAPS Management to meet with Mr Nickolaus Bauer

Approximately one month ago the National Police Commissioner, General Riah Phiyega, met with the South African National Editors Forum (SANEF).

The meeting agreed that a high level committee, comprising of senior SAPS and SANEF members, would be established to continue engagements with a view, among others, to improve police-media relations.

The high level committee would also ensure involvement by both SANEF and the SAPS in mutual training of police officers and journalists to help them understand their complementary roles in serving the public interest.

To this end, both the SAPS and SANEF agreed that the practice where some police members were alleged to have irresponsibly and without valid reason deleted pictures from media photographers was wrong, undesirable and should cease.

Against this backdrop, as SAPS management, we have taken note of what is alleged to have happened to eNCA journalist, Mr Nickolaus Bauer. It has been reported that a VIP protection police officer deleted photographs from Bauer’s cellphone.  The SAPS will engage both the journalist and the officer involved to establish the facts and recommend on how the matter is to be handled going forward.

Media Enquires : Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale – 082 781 8863

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