KASiBCAFRiCA©®™
BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR
LET US NOT FORGET #BLACKWEDNESDAY
A PUBLIC STATEMENT TO JOURNALISTS, PRESENTERS, MEDIA OWNERS AND THE MEDIA COMMUNITY
Dear Journalists, Presenters, Media Owners and Fellow Members of the Media,
There comes a time when silence is no longer an option. Today, I believe it is necessary to share my account of what allegedly happened at family home following an incident at a public government event in Eldorado Park.
This is not merely about me. It raises serious questions about press freedom, the safety of journalists, the protection of private property and the right of independent media to report on public events without intimidation.
1. THE GOVERNMENT EVENT AT DON MATEMAN HALL
Earlier that day, KASiBC_AFRiCA was invited by the Mayor's Office to attend a government event at Don Mateman Hall in Eldorado Park.
We attended in our capacity as a media organisation, alongside other media representatives, including Eldos FM.
During the event, members of the Patriotic Alliance (PA) allegedly approached me and demanded that I stop recording a public event taking place at a public venue.
I found this particularly concerning because other media representatives were also recording the proceedings.
I chose not to comply with their demand. In my view, attending and documenting a public government event was part of our responsibility as a media organisation.
The event eventually concluded, and I left without engaging further with those who had confronted me.
2. THREE HOURS LATER — WHAT HAPPENED AT HOME?
After the event, I visited family and friends in the area, including people in Kliptown.
Approximately three hours later, I returned to the house where my wife and children were present.
As I approached, I noticed several vehicles and a group of people outside. When I reached the gate, I saw that my wife was already distressed and in tears.
I entered the property and sat on the stoep, just a short distance from the gate.
According to my recollection, a phone call was made announcing my arrival. Shortly afterwards, the group grew considerably, reaching what I estimated to be approximately 20 to 25 people.
I allege that members of this group, whom I identified as including PA members and three PA councillors — Juwaira Kaldine, Dwayne Ponsenby and Theo Dolly — entered the private property without my permission and assaulted me in front of my wife and children.
I further allege that members of the group attempted to take my cellphone to delete the videos I had recorded at the public event.
The footage was important to me because it documented an event that had taken place in public.
My question is simple: why should a journalist face intimidation or violence for recording a public government event?
3. THE ARRIVAL OF THE POLICE
What happened next raised further questions for me.
After, in my account, attempts to provoke me into fighting back had failed, another phone call was made. Within approximately two minutes, five police vans and a police Quantum vehicle arrived at the property.
I later understood that some police vehicles had allegedly been waiting around the corner before I arrived home.
If that information is accurate, it raises serious questions about what the police knew, when they knew it and why officers were positioned nearby.
At that stage, I questioned why such a substantial police presence appeared so quickly, particularly given the circumstances I had witnessed.
I was subsequently arrested and detained. I maintain that I was arrested without a legitimate basis. I also allege that this was the second time within 30 days that I had been arrested and detained by officers associated with Eldorado Park Police Station without proper justification.
These are serious allegations that deserve an independent, evidence-based investigation. I believe the circumstances surrounding the incident, the police response and my subsequent arrests should be examined, including whether any officers acted improperly.
4. ALLEGATIONS OF INTIMIDATION AND THREATS AGAINST MY FAMILY
I also wish to place on record my concerns about what I experienced as a broader campaign of intimidation.
I allege that Gayton McKenzie attacked my wife on social media and that individuals I associated with his security team, whom I identified as Vicky Fly and Dirty Kids, were instructed to pursue or intimidate my family over a period of months.
These allegations require careful investigation and corroboration.
According to my account, the central demand made of me was that I stop publishing negative commentary about Gayton McKenzie, Kenny Kunene and members of the Patriotic Alliance.
I have also previously challenged attempts to silence me through legal proceedings at the High Court in Cape Town. My position remains that disagreements over journalism, political commentary or criticism must be addressed through lawful means, not intimidation or violence.
I am setting out my account so that the relevant people, institutions and members of the media can examine the allegations and seek answers.
5. A WARNING TO THE MEDIA COMMUNITY
To journalists, presenters, broadcasters, photographers, independent publishers and media owners across South Africa:
What happens to one journalist/presenter/media owners can become a warning to every journalist/presenter/media owners
If members/owners of the media can be threatened for recording a public event, and if those threats allegedly follow them to their homes, then the issue extends far beyond a personal dispute.
It becomes a question of whether independent journalism can operate freely and safely in our democracy.
I urge fellow media professionals to take reasonable precautions when covering politically sensitive events. Keep original footage and backups, document threats, preserve messages and other evidence, share your itinerary with trusted colleagues, and seek legal assistance when necessary.
I do not ask journalists/presenters/media owners to accept every allegation without scrutiny. I ask that we refuse to ignore serious allegations simply because they are uncomfortable or politically sensitive.
6. QUESTIONS THAT DESERVE ANSWERS
I believe the following questions must be addressed:
- Why was I allegedly confronted over recording a public government event?
- What happened at the private property, and who was responsible for any unlawful conduct?
- What was the basis for the police deployment and my arrest?
- Were any police officers informed of the incident in advance, and, if so, by whom?
- Were my rights and the safety of my wife and children adequately protected?
- Have the relevant allegations been independently investigated?
These questions should be answered through evidence, proper procedures and transparent accountability.
7. I WILL NOT ABANDON MY RIGHT TO SPEAK
For the record, I remain committed to independent journalism and the right to scrutinise public figures, political organisations and those entrusted with public power.
Criticism is not a licence for violence. Political affiliation does not place anyone above the law. Equally, allegations against any person must be investigated fairly, and everyone concerned must have an opportunity to respond.
My family should never have to experience fear because of my work as a journalist/presenter/media owner
My commitment to reporting, asking difficult questions , small nyanya questions and expressing my views remains.
LET #BLACKWEDNESDAY BE REMEMBERED
To my fellow journalists and media owners: let this be a call for solidarity, responsible reporting and the protection of independent media and black owned media
Do not allow intimidation to become normalised. Do not abandon colleagues who raise serious concerns. Demand accountability through lawful, peaceful and evidence-based action.
The freedom to report must not end at the gate of one's home.
Journalism is not a Crime. Asking questions is not a crime. Holding those in Power accountable is not a Crime.
Let us protect our families, safeguard our evidence, support one another and insist that the law applies equally to everyone.
#BLACKWEDNESDAY #PressFreedom #MediaFreedom #JournalistSafety #FreedomOfExpression #Accountability #KASiBC_AFRiCA
LET US NOT FORGET #BLACKWEDNESDAY
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