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PRETORIA NEWS
Two policemen attack photographer Masi Losi after he took pictures of them arresting a suspected thief. Photo: Phill Magakoe
Two heavy-handed policemen on Friday attacked a Pretoria News chief photographer taking pictures of them arresting a suspected thief who they had moments before saved from an enraged mob as it administered instant justice on the handcuffed suspect.
Staff photographer Masi Losi was assaulted and thrown to the ground where he was sworn at, kicked and throttled as he resisted the angry officers who were trying to take his camera away.
The police, who rushed to the newspaper’s Vermeulen Street offices in droves from throughout the city’s Central Business District, said that they wanted to arrest Losi because they did not know who he was and thought that he might have been a suspect, who was “trying to attack police”.
Police became involved in a heated exchange with Pretoria News staff charged reporters, photographers and sub-editors, who rescued Losi and rushed him to the safety of the newspaper’s building.
While some police tried to overpower security guards holding closed a vehicle entrance gate in an attempt to stop them from entering the building, others forced their way through the newspaper’s front security gate and, with hands of their guns, surrounded Losi and his colleagues.
Manhandling several staff members who were trying to protect Losi, police were eventually forced out of the vehicle alleyway and the building.
Officers, demanding to be let into the building to arrest Losi, who they accused of defeating the ends of justice, obstructing justice and being a suspect, threatened to arrest Executive Editor, Jos Charle, when he refused to allow them into the building.
Asked why they were attacking and assaulting journalists instead of fighting crime, police officers yelled that they were upset with Losi because he had not introduced himself and just started taking pictures, when he should have asked for permission first.
When asked where the crime scene was and why Losi was not allowed to take pictures, police said they did not need to explain anything to the newspaper.
“We don’t owe you guys any answers,” said a policeman.
Gauteng police commissioner Mzwandile Petros has apologised to the Pretoria News and to Losi, saying the police's action had been high handed and totally unnecessary.
Petros said he had instructed Colonel Frans Manyaka of the Pretoria Central police station cluster, to look into the matter.
Losi has pressed charges against the police officers who attacked him. - Pretoria News
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heidi, wrote
it is unbelievable..yes losi should have stated who he was and what he was doing..yes you should not take pictures of suspects BUT the REACTION by the police is nothing less than thuggery! BRUTAL OVERPOWERING thuggery
Andrew, wrote
"Two heavy-handed policemen on Friday attacked a Pretoria News chief photographer taking pictures of them arresting a suspected thief who they had moments before saved from an enraged mob as it administered instant justice on the handcuffed suspect".Why attack a photographer who is showing the good work that you are doing, after all it is said that they had just saved a man from a mob.I'm sure one does not just get appointed as a chief photographer of a newspaper without years of expirience under thier belt. Sue them Losi.
Lulubelles, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
the sap dont know and understand their job, instead of chasing a thief but an inoccent soul doing his job, Masi sue them
amandzing, wrote
Losi knows better. He should not have been taking photos of a suspect, they are not allowed to be identified until they have pleaded, so constitutionally, the cops were doing their jobs in protecting the identity of the suspect. Three sides to a story...
Anonymous, wrote
That's because, every second uneductated dude that can't find a job anywhere else, can become a police officer. No offence to the good cops. There are many good cops out there. But they keep lowering the standards to the point where even a convicted criminal can become a cop.
Kevin, wrote
The police are there to enforce law and order. What they did constitutes criminal behaviour and they should be arrested. Breaking and entering trespassing, assault and illegal use of a firearm. When will the perpetrators be brought to court and fired from the police for bringing the police into disrepute.
Police State, wrote
More and more we become that police state - mmm reminds me of the old Natioal Party days. Maybe they will give me a pass book?
Anonymous, wrote
Why don't you guys try and do the job of the police and see how easy it is. there lives are in danger every second of every day. He should have said who he was right at the start and none of this would have happend. I take my hat off to the SAPS that actually do there work and go out of the way
Lockme Awayfogood, wrote
To serve and protect who,exactly? The "Victim" of mob justice, supposedly a suspect, was possibly a friend of the police? PTA Police are the most "untouchable" of the lot...
township justice, wrote
Do you see why we rather take the law into our own hand? Why we don’t have any faith in the S.A.P? Criminals are walking the streets while the police attack the innocent.
Anonymous, wrote
Douglas Hendry, wrote
I thought it was just the old "apartheid" security people who acted like this. Now it seems we have a new Gestapo, albeit cretins in police uniform
Anonymous, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
Reporters are like vultures, they circle around, and swoop in for every scrap of misfortune they can find, just to sell newspapers. Having said that, the cops are brutalists who have the power to abuse and bully, without having to suffer the consequences. It's just another day in sunny banana republic!
Pfff, wrote
So typical. They attack a news photographer but let the crooks run free. So much incompetence.
Erich Goosen, wrote
I agree with Anonymous - I hope the photographer will sue the pants off the SAP. These hooligans should be brought to book.
Anonymous, wrote
gglatrot, wrote
Yesterday Hillary Cinton denounced the Egyptian authorities for the attack on journalists in Cairo, which disregards international freedom of the press. What's the difference between what goes on here, and there? Nothing! This is not the first of these incidents we've heard about...
Ant, wrote
Losi must not let up and withdraw the charges. The Police have to be above the law otherwise how will we ever get the politicians and their stooges to be above the law. Then it will be anarchy. The first cops to have assaulted him should loses their jobs for the way he was treated. Then maybe the rest will respect the rights of all South Africans to take photos in public "without permission". Pretoria News, your other staff should also lay charges and all involved must be forced to explain their heavy handed illegal actions to a Magistrate. It must be brought out into the open. Do this for all of SA.
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