Sanef condemns the aggressive behaviour of a police officer towards a Newzroom Afrika journalist
05 April 2025
The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) is angered by the video clip of a police officer at a Midrand police station, shoving and shouting at a journalist inside the station’s premises.
While Sanef understands that journalists need permission to take footage into the SAPS stations, it’s unacceptable that police would follow this particular officer’s example. The officer had no reason to be rude, brash, and shout at journalists trying to do their work.
The officer, with his name tag showing the surname Malete, was seen live on TV pushing, pulling, and manhandling the journalist, Nqobile Madlala, from Newzroom Afrika.
Sanef has, over the years, worked closely with the SAPS management and communication personnel, hence, this latest development is disappointing.
Sanef does understand that there are protocols when the media wants to film or record inside police stations, but the conduct of this Malete officer is completely unacceptable.
South Africa is a country besieged by misogynistic, chauvinistic men who see nothing wrong with abuse and failing to see women as their equals; hence, such behaviour against Madlala is unbecoming, particularly perpetrated by an officer of the law.
Sanef has engaged the editorial leadership at Newzroom Afrika, who reassured us of their support for Madlala during this period.
Sanef will continue engaging SAPS on such unfortunate incidents, and hopefully, we will get to a point where there are cordial working relations, and journalists don’t have to face rude and over-the-top officers.
Note to Editors:
The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) is a non-profit organisation whose members are editors, senior journalists, and journalism trainers from all areas of South African media. We are committed to championing South Africa’s hard-won freedom of expression and promoting quality, ethics, and diversity in the South African media. We promote excellence in journalism by fighting for media freedom, writing policy submissions, research, and education and training programmes. Sanef is not a union.
For more information, please contact:
Makhudu Sefara – Chairperson (079) 177-2134
Tshamano Makhadi – Deputy Chairperson (082) 223-0621
Dr. Glenda Daniels – Secretary-General (083) 229-9708
Sbu Ngalwa – Treasurer-General (073) 404-1415
Sli Khanyile – Media Freedom Chair (083) 471-0367
Katy Katopodis – Wellness and Safety Chair (082) 805-7022
Judy Sandison – KZN Convenor (082) 571-3334
Rochelle De Kock – Eastern Cape Convenor (072) 969-8028
Sisanda Nkoala – Western Cape Convenor (073) 138 5564
Reggy Moalusi – Executive Director (071) 682-3695
Twitter: @SAEditorsForum
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.sanef.org.za
