Admin l Tuesday, March 20, 2018
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – The African National Congress(ANC) has condemned Mr. Floyd Shivambu for violently assaulting a Netwerk24 journalist, Adrian de Kock in the premises of South African parliament earlier today. In a statement, Office of the ANC Chief Whip said it strongly condemns the violent behaviour of EFF Chief Whip, Mr Floyd Shivambu and two other unidentified men, who manhandled a journalist on the Parliament precinct this morning.
An online video circulating shows Netwerk24 journalist, Adrian de Kock, took pictures of Mr Shivambu as he was walking towards the Old Assembly Building and and asked for comment but Mr Shivambu violently grabbed his camera and proceeded to push him against a wall with the assistance of the two unidentified men.
“It is very regrettable and completely unacceptable that a member of Parliament who also happens to be a Chief Whip of a party, can be found to be involved in such unbecoming behaviour. As parliamentarians, we must at all times be the custodians of our Constitution and our democracy, especially media freedom and freedom of expression.
“Any journalist working on the parliamentary precinct must be allowed to do their job without any fear of victimisation or hindrance to their work.We call on the Speaker of Parliament to thoroughly investigate this incident and impose the appropriate sanction for such unbecoming behaviour”, the ANC said.
