(MISA/IFEX) – On 8 June 2004, photographer Thari Leepile, of “The Midweek Sun” weekly, was assaulted by Elizabeth Surtee and her son, Edward Mzwinila, who are facing trial for alleged armed robbery. In an interview with MISA-Botswana, Leepile said he was covering the court case at the Magistrate Court in Gaborone when he tried to […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 8 June 2004, photographer Thari Leepile, of “The Midweek Sun” weekly, was assaulted by Elizabeth Surtee and her son, Edward Mzwinila, who are facing trial for alleged armed robbery.
In an interview with MISA-Botswana, Leepile said he was covering the court case at the Magistrate Court in Gaborone when he tried to photograph Surtee and Mzwinila outside the court.
After he took a few pictures, Leepile said Surtee walked towards him and asked why he was taking photographs without her permission. She started hurling insults at him, took off her shoes and threw them.
“I didn’t stop taking pictures, so she grabbed me by my shirt and hit me on the back with one of her shoes. She continued hitting me and broke the lens of the camera,” Leepile added. The digital camera, which is worth over US$6,000, was damaged beyond repair.
Leepile said Mzwinila came from behind and slapped him. It was at this point that police officers, who had been watching events unfold, intervened and grabbed Mzwinila. Leepile said he maintained his balance and managed to run off. He told MISA-Botswana that he was not hurt badly but the incident left him shocked and scared.
Leepile has filed charges against Surtee and Mzwinila and is awaiting a report from police.
Meanwhile, “The Midweek Sun” editor Mike Mothibi expressed concern over the incident and said it was regrettable and unfortunate that Surtee and her son were victimising what he called “the messenger.” Mothibi added that if Surtee had an issue with Leepile over the taking of photographs, she could have taken the matter up with the newspaper or the police. He hoped that since the matter was reported to police, it would receive due process of justice and the newspaper would be compensated for the damaged camera.
MISA-Botswana National Director Modise Maphanyane said the situation was unacceptable for a conducive working environment for the media. He said individuals accused of serious crimes cannot be allowed to take the law into their own hands when the media tries to provide the public with true information.
“I believe this is not the first incident of violence against the media in the presence of law officers. The police needs to know that they are there to protect citizens and should not stand in judgement of them as seems to be the case in these incidences,” he added.
A similar incident took place in Francistown in 2001, where individuals accused of serious crimes were allowed to assault journalist Chenjelani Baraedi when he tried to photograph them in the presence of police.
MISA-Botswana awaits the conclusion of this matter before taking it up further with the police commissioner.
