Scores of residents in Soweto march to demand the departure of illegal immigrants from South Africa, amid rising incidents of intimidation of foreign nationals and journalists.
Image: Picture Itumeleng English/ ANA Studio
As tensions escalate in South Africa surrounding the self-imposed June 30 deadline set by the anti-immigration group March and March, a coalition of media freedom organisations is issuing dire warnings about the increasing threats facing both foreign nationals and journalists striving to report on these developments. The tragic killing of 29-year-old Malawian father Mishack Banda in Pietermaritzburg on June 19 has sharpened concerns over potential widespread violence and unrest.
The situation is further complicated by recent protests and incidents of violence that have resulted in assaults against individuals perceived to be foreign nationals. Journalists documenting these events have increasingly found themselves in perilous situations, facing not just the risk of physical attacks, but also intimidation tactics that hinder their reporting efforts. Reports have surfaced of journalists being coerced into deleting footage, having their equipment seized, and facing threats of violence for simply doing their jobs.
Notably, March and March has exploited social media platforms as a tool to publicly identify journalists, effectively rallying their supporters to target these individuals. Such actions radically undermine the safety of those tasked with documenting the crisis. The coalition - which comprises Amnesty International South Africa, the Association of Independent Publishers (AIP), the Campaign for Free Expression, the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), the Media Diversity & Development Agency (MDDA), Moxii Africa, the Press Council of South Africa, and the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF) - has received multiple testimonies detailing acts of harassment and intimidation against journalists that stem directly from these provocations.
The coalition vehemently condemns both the targeting of foreign nationals and the encroachments on media freedoms. They are calling upon March and March to cease its public harassment of journalists immediately and implore political parties and public representatives supporting the group to denounce rhetoric that breeds hostility and violence against both journalists and foreign nationals.
Moreover, the coalition demands that law enforcement agencies take urgent measures to protect individuals from violence and intimidation. They have emphasised the necessity for journalists to carry out their work safely, free from interference, and called for thorough investigations into any threats or assaults directed at reporters.
The dual threats faced by foreign nationals and journalists require immediate and unequivocal attention. The recently heightened scrutiny and hostility towards foreign nationals have created a volatile environment, making it essential for independent reporting to prevail. Journalists play a pivotal role in serving as the public’s eyes and ears, exposing abuses while holding authorities accountable.
Through threats and intimidation, there is a grim risk that vital information could be suppressed. This not only jeopardises the safety of media personnel but also deprives the public of crucial insight into events shaping their communities. The organisations stress that those perpetrating violence against reporters aim to conceal their actions, therefore undermining a key safeguard against human rights abuses.
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