Support World Press Freedom Day 2015

Cops delete Bush Radio journo’s photos

This afternoon at about 15h30 Bush Radio trainees were alerted that members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) had stopped and were searching a vehicle just outside its building in Salt River.

As this was a potential story, trainees went downstairs to see what was happening and cover it for Bushradionews.

As the trainees were collecting information and pictures, a police officer proceeded to come over to Busi Mtabane (host of Sakhisizwe) and remove her phone and deleted the pictures she had taken.

Other trainees and Bush Radio’s Managing Director, Brenda Leonard had to intervene to retrieve the phone which was handed back after the pictures were removed.

Below is a series of pictures of the incident taken by Programme Integrator, Adrian Louw.

Brenda Leonard has indicated that we will be taking this matter further after we have consulted with different media freedom organisations.

Busi Mtabane (far right) taking pictures of the incident

The police officer demanding the cellphone

The police officer removing the phone

Deleting images from the device as Bush Radio members try and intervene

Police saying that we could not cover the incident or take pictures

Police officer walks away after deleting photographs