The state has withdrawn assault charges against two Port Elizabeth journalists following a recent altercation with congregants of controversial Nigerian pastor, Tim Omotoso.
Charges were laid against eNCA cameraman, Nceba Ntlangiso and freelance journalist, Norhi Manona, after Omotoso was arrested by the Hawks at the PE airport on charges of human trafficking and sexual assault last month
When an eNCA team and Manona of City Press went to Omotoso's ministry in North End to interview congregants about his arrest, they were allegedly assaulted.
One person is still due to appear in court in connection with that incident.
However, the National Prosecuting Authority on Tuesday decided to withdraw counter-charges against the two journalists after video evidence showed the journalists being assaulted by congregants.
eNCA chief operations officer, Anton Harber, was also in court on Tuesday to support his staff.
"I came down today because we're all concerned that there's a rising number of incidents of journalist being harassed, assaulted and threatened while doing their work. We're in a difficult and tense time politically and the easiest target in those situations is often the messenger, the journalist," said Harber.
"It's very important that we stand together to say that if we can't do our jobs then it affects everyone. It affects our audiences, it affects all South Africans and it affects the South African political situation. So, we have to be very vigilant in making sure that the authorities act on it and that is why we are here today to make sure that those accused of assaulting and harassing our journalists face the law and face justice," he said.
"We have to send the message that that's not acceptable. We are doing our job, we must be allowed to do our job because it's important to this country's democracy that we're free to do our job," Harber concluded.
(Image:eNCA)
