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Sanef Statement on Vuyo Mvoko mugged during live crossing

Sanef Statement 11 March 2015

The South African National Editors’ Forum notes with concern the mugging of SABC Contributing Editor Vuyo Mvoko and several senior staffers, captured on camera outside Johannesburg’s Millpark Hospital, as he was about to cross live for a 7pm television news segment on Tuesday night.  One of Vuyo’s muggers is clearly heard exhorting his colleague to “shoot the dog”. The SABC crew were robbed of their cellphones and a laptop, but thankfully were not harmed. Every South African lives with the reality of crime, but to see thugs brazenly ignoring television cameras and robbing media workers in the course of their work, yet again brings home the level of criminality in our society. The muggers are clearly identifiable on camera and we hope that arrests and prosecution will occur soon. Sanef appeals to members of the public who recognise the men to do the right thing and alert the police to their identities and whereabouts so that the law can take its course.

For Inquiries:
Adriaan Basson Sanef Media Freedom Chair on 082 562 2113
or Raymond Louw 082 446 5155 Deputy Media Freedom Chair on 082 446 5155