he South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) strongly condemns the heavy-handed and insensitive actions of the South African Police Service (SAPS) during a protest in Westbury this morning, which resulted in journalist Ms. Julia Evans being wounded by a rubber bullet on Wednesday.
Evans, a reporter for the Daily Maverick, was on the scene documenting the concerns of community members, many of whom were struggling with severe water shortages. In an alarming turn of events, SAPS deployed a flash-bang and began firing rubber bullets allegedly without any prior warning, putting the lives of residents, demonstrators, and journalists alike at risk.Â
According to Evans’ first-hand account, she experienced the chaotic and dangerous aftermath of this police action as she was caught in the crossfire, sustaining an injury to her leg. This incident underscores a disturbing pattern of excessive force used by law enforcement in situations involving civilians and journalists exercising their right to do their job of reporting.
SANEF is particularly concerned about the lack of communication and the violation of the rights of individuals, both residents and members of the press, who were present at the protest. Evans’ experience is a stark reminder of the critical need for police to prioritise de-escalation strategies and to ensure the safety of all citizens, especially those exercising their right to free speech.
Furthermore, it is vital for the media to highlight these issues, and we must defend the rights of journalists who strive to keep the public informed.
SANEF calls on SAPS to investigate this incident thoroughly and to implement measures to prevent the recurrence of similar situations in the future and vigilantly uphold the principles of democracy and press freedom.
