Today is the 12th day since South African photojournalist Anton Hammerl disappeared in Brega, in Eastern Libya. Clayson Monyela, spokesperson for the Department of International and Co-operation said the South African government was “pleased that we had enlisted the help of the US and others. We have officials on the ground working on this case night and day”.
Asked what concerned journalists could do about their colleague, Monyela said: “All we can do is hope and pray.”
Pressure has increased on the South African authorities since Wednesday, when a concerted media blitz was launched following President Jacob Zuma’s failure to raise the issue of Hammerl’s disappearance with Libyan authorities.
He visited Tripoli on April 10 and 11 to discuss mediation for Libya with the African Union.
This failure has been widely condemned by Human Rights Watch and the South African National Editor’s Forum, which urged Zuma to make a direct appeal to Colonel Muammar Gadaffi for Hammerl’s release and that of other journalists.
On Friday, protesters in Madrid called for a reaction by the Spanish government to the disappearance of the missing photographer Manu Brabo, who disappeared on April 5, the same day as Hammerl.
Their protest highlighted the fact that Hammerl was also missing.
Journalists and photographers in South Africa plan to follow suit .
Two other journalists reportedly arrested by militia were Clare Morgana Gillis, of the TheAtlantic.com and James Foley, a freelance reporter with another online publication, GlobalPost.com.
Penny Sukhraj, Hammerl’s wife, with whom he lives in London with their two children, said the government appeared to be dedicating time to Hammerl’s case after she had asked for journalists to put pressure on authorities.
Sukhraj said increased media attention had brought positive results.
The South African consulate in Tripoli contacted Hammerl only six days after he disappeared.
Monyela said, “You will remember that the consulate had to be evacuated, but it has been staffed again. I can assure you they are working on this case.” - Maureen Isaacson