eNCA (DStv 403) says its "deeply concerned" after the South African TV news channel was banned by Bathabile Dlamini as a South African government minister, from the 16 Days of Activism event that was held on Sunday.
The controversial, caustic and combative Bathabile Dlamini struggling to cope with media scrutiny in Cyril Ramaphosa's government, on Sunday decided to bar eNCA from covering her.
eNCA reporter Thubalihle Vilane and camera operator Bongumusa Mkhize were barred by Bathabile Dlamini and her media-hating gaggle from entering the KwaNzimela Anglican church hall where she was attending the 16 Days of Activism event.
The eNCA crew was filming Bathabile Dlamini's arrival in KwaMagwaza in Melmoth, KwaZulu/Natal when her shocking media banning occured.
The sunglassed Bathabile Dlamini went to eNCA and had the audacity as a South African minister to tell eNCA she is offended at being filmed.
Thereafter the seemingly clueless Palesa Mphamo, Bathabile Dlamini's chief or staff who doesn't appear to understand the media or what the press does, told eNCA that they should not enter the hall where the event was being held.
The eNCA crew was told that Bathabile Dlamini refuses to speak to eNCA and would only answer questions from SABC News (DStv 404) "as they know the parameters".
eNCA in a statement says it "would like to put on record our deep concern at being barred from an event of national importance by a government minister".
"We reserve the right to ask questions of any publicly appointed representative, indeed we see it as our duty to do so. As a member of the media, it is our constitutional right to operate freely and without harassment".
"To be gagged in this way is of great concern, particularly as we head into an election year."
So far no word from Cyril Ramaphosa or his government on why one of his ministers are banning media from public events and from covering them.