On 29 November, Midweek Sun photographer Tshekiso Tebalo was assaulted by Mochudi Center Chiefs' football team official, Sebele Morakanyane, at the University of Botswana Stadium, as he covered a game between the Mochudi Center Chiefs and the Township Rollers.
Midweek Sun photographer Tshekiso Tebalo was on Friday, 29 November 2013 assaulted by Mochudi Center Chiefs’ football team official, Sebele Morakanyane, at the University of Botswana (UB) Stadium.
Tebalo was on duty taking pictures at the end of a game between the Mochudi Center Chiefs and the Township Rollers. A last-minute goal by the Township Rollers had resulted in a commotion that saw an exchange of blows and bitter words between the two camps. While Tebalo was capturing the last scenes of the game, Morakanyane hit him with a water bottle. During an interview with MISA Botswana this Wednesday [11 December], Tebalo said Morakanyane had apologised for the assault in the presence of the police and said he did not mean to hit him.
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Botswana condemns Morakanyane’s acts and calls upon all football team officials to always ensure the safety of journalists on duty. It is unethical for team officials to be perpetrators and be found assaulting, harassing and beating journalists on duty as this is tantamount to a serious violation of freedom of expression. We hope no case similar to Tebalo’s will ever happen again during a football game.
