Johannesburg - A Carte Blanche journalist who was mugged while out on a job believes criminals are now targeting reporters who they see as easy targets.
Devi Sankaree Govender was in the Bloemfontein CBD on Wednesday just after 9am when a man who had allegedly been watching her and her team ripped off her necklace.
The man then nonchalantly walked away, she said.
Govender’s mugging comes just a week after a SABC crew was robbed live on air outside the Milpark Hospital in Auckland Park.
Govender and the Carte Blanche crew had just wrapped up filming next to the Free State Department of Health when the attack happened.
“I was walking towards the car and was about two to three metres from it when I felt someone behind me.
“The person was too close. I felt his hands behind my neck and then I started screaming.
“He pushed his hands into my windpipe and I could not scream anymore.
“I did not resist,” she said.
When the cameraman realised what had happened, he ran after the mugger but Govender stopped him, fearing for their safety.
Govender said it was worrying that criminals were now targeting journalists who are out on the field, telling stories of people who have come to the media for help.
The Star