by Thinus Ferreira
The e.tv News and eNCA (DStv 403) reporter Natalie Malgas and cameraman Lance Manjoro were attacked, held at gunpoint and robbed in an ambush on Monday while reporting from Khayelitsha in Cape Town.
On social media Natalie Malgas said that she had "survived my scariest day on the job" and that "my cameraman and I were held at gunpoint in Khayelitsha while covering local general elections 2021 stories. We're unhurt and safe now. Be safe in the field colleagues".
Natalie Malgas explained that camera equipment and their phones were stolen in the ambush by 4 guys with two guns. "It all happened so fast," she said.
"We're hopeful that while the South African Police Service conducts its investigation into this matter, arrests will be made soon," says John Bailey, eNCA managing editor.
"It's concerning for us that while we're covering the local government elections and highlighting the plight of communities, our teams are vulnerable in the face of such barbaric criminality."
"While our team is unhurt, they're very traumatised. However, we are providing them with the necessary support."
The South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) says "Other incidents of robbery of journalists have been reported in Cape Town and elsewhere in the country".
"We note that these attacks are now becoming a norm, putting the lives of journalists at risk. We call on law enforcement agencies to arrest and prosecute these criminals."
"Without journalists focusing on the plight of communities, such stories will go unreported. South Africa is becoming a very dangerous place for journalists and, apart from attacks on the field, journalists also face cyber-bulling and severe attacks on social media platforms."
The horrific incident in which a South African TV news crew got robbed followed after a Newzroom Afrika news team was attacked and robbed and their vehicle broken into while they were reporting live from East London earlier this month.
In July criminals attacked the SABC News (DStv 404) reporter Natasha Phiri and cameraman Gqabi Njokweni in a gunpoint robbery in Alexandra. They were robbed of a live-crossing device, camera, box with cables and broadcast equipment, 2 cellphones and a handbag.
In April the reporter Monique Mortlock of eNCA (DStv 403) and eNuus on kykNET (DStv 144), along with cameraman Asanda Javu were robbed in Khayelitsha as well as the TV news crew were doing a report and live crossing about the lack of service delivery in the area.
