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The South African National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) is shocked and perturbed by the attack on e-TV cameraman Linge Ndabambi by some protesters while covering the unrest in Ermelo yesterday. We are particularly concerned that this is not an isolated incident but points to a growing tendency by some people to vent their frustrations on the media.

Yesterday’s attack, in which Ndabambi was injured and a vehicle and broadcast equipment extensively damaged, follows a recent attack on journalists on two Mail& Guardian journalists in Ledig, North West, last year.

Such attacks have also become a common occurrence during protests in Diepsloot, Johannesburg.

We urge the organizers of such protests to put an end to such attacks and to take steps to ensure the safety of journalists. Attacking the messenger in this way does nobody any good. Endangering journalists and their equipment this way can only result in the media shunning such areas, making it impossible to tell stories and to inform the public. Sanef commends protesters who came to the aid of Ndamambi and e-TV reporter, Jody Jacobs.