National Press Club Supports SABC On Showing Police Brutality in Ficksburg

Media Statement By National Press Club

Visuals of police beating-up Ficksburg teacher,
Andries Tatane, shown on SABC1.

The National Press Club has come out in support of SABC TV News for screening footage of police attacking a protestor in Ficksburg in the Free State this week, that allegedly led to his death.

The SABC has been criticised by some for showing the “gruesome” material.

Club chairman Yusuf Abramjee congratulated the national broadcaster “for being bold, balanced and fair on this issue.

“This matter is of public interest and it has made national headlines. SABC TV News did the right thing by screening the attack. The focus should not be on the SABC here, but rather on police conduct.”



Reports say Tatane stood up after the assault and fell
down again and his body also had bullet wounds.

 Abramjee said he personally called the new head of TV News, Jimi Matthews, to extend the press club’s support.

“We wish Jimi all the best in his new role and we hope that he will continue to be editorially independent.”

Some newspapers have also published photographs of the protestor that was killed.

“We can understand that the family and friends of the victim may not be impressed, but we have to weigh this against public interest. If we allow this matter to be hidden away or censored, we will be failing our listeners and our viewers,” Abramjee added.