Johannesburg – Newzroom Afrika journalist Ziniko Mhlaba has been released after being abruptly detained on the scene while covering the Local Government Elections at a voting station in Soweto.
During a live broadcast at a voting station in Orlando East, Soweto, a police officer stood between Mhlaba and the camera, blocking him from broadcasting.
During the incident, Mhlaba asked the officer to move out of his way.
She refused and told him: “You were distracting the presiding officer.”
Mhlaba was allegedly arrested for obstructing justice.
The journalist was handcuffed, put in a police van, and taken to a police station in Soweto.
Mhlaba was released by Gauteng Police Commissioner Elias Mawela, shortly after the arrest.
This is after South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) executive director Reggy Moalusi contacted the police and the Provincial Electoral Office in Gauteng to negotiate the release of the journalist.
SANEF project manager Hopewell Radebe spoke to Sunday World and advised that they will investigate the matter further.
“The general rule is that voters need to cast their votes and then they can be interviewed after voting outside the voting station,” Radebe explained further stating that they need to remind journalists of the rules for covering elections to avoid such incidents.
The Independent Electoral Commission has advised that they are still investigating and will be releasing a statement soon.
[UPDATE] #Newzroom405 @ZinikokaMhlaba was detained after a scuffle with police at a voting station in Orlando East, Soweto. He is on the line to explain what led to his arrest.
Watch: https://t.co/Btystb5maX#LGE2021 #Elections2021 pic.twitter.com/pYotv7KMyl
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 1, 2021
[BREAKING NEWS] #Newzroom405's Journalist detained by cops during #LGE2021 coverage.
Tune into channel 405 for more details on this story.#Vote21 pic.twitter.com/wXFR1q74a3
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) November 1, 2021
This is outrageous!
It is an abuse of power and an affront to media freedom.We have taken this up at the highest levels – both with SAPS & with the @IECSouthAfrica. https://t.co/VCtdDaPX8i
— Katy Katopodis (@KatyKatopodis) November 1, 2021
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