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March 20, 2026 – South Africa –
Two South African journalists were assaulted, threatened, and robbed while reporting on a municipal workers’ protest in KwaZulu-Natal, prompting condemnation from press freedom organizations and raising concerns about increasing risks faced by media workers in the country.
The incident involved The Witness reporter Shorné Bennie and photographer Moeketsi Mamane, who were covering a protest outside the Msunduzi municipality offices in Pietermaritzburg in February 2026. According to reports, tensions escalated as demonstrators opposed the installation of surveillance cameras in municipal vehicles, leading to a confrontation with the journalists.
During the incident, protesters allegedly threw a rock at the journalists, seized equipment, and issued threats. Mamane was dragged into a group of demonstrators, physically assaulted, and forced to delete images he had taken, while his camera was damaged. Both journalists reported being intimidated and warned not to continue their coverage.
Following the attack, the journalists filed a formal police complaint, citing multiple charges including assault, robbery, intimidation, and damage to property. Evidence, including video footage of the incident, was submitted to authorities. However, no arrests had been made at the time of reporting, raising concerns about accountability.
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) condemned the attack, describing it as a direct violation of press freedom and urging South African authorities to conduct a swift and thorough investigation. Media advocacy groups emphasized that such incidents undermine the public’s right to information and create a hostile environment for journalists working in the field.
Local officials acknowledged the seriousness of the incident, with municipal authorities stating that an internal investigation was underway. The mayor of Msunduzi also publicly condemned the violence and pledged that appropriate action would be taken against those responsible.
The case highlights broader concerns about journalist safety in South Africa, where reporters continue to face physical attacks, threats, and harassment while covering protests and politically sensitive events. Press freedom groups warn that failure to hold perpetrators accountable risks normalizing violence against the media.
As investigations continue, the assault on Bennie and Mamane underscores the challenges journalists face in carrying out their work safely, particularly in volatile public settings where tensions can quickly escalate into violence.
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South African journalist threatened, assaulted, robbed by municipal workers
