WATCH: Journalist kicked out of #ANC54 conference venue

Published Dec 19, 2017

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Johannesburg - Security personnel working at the ANC's 54th National Elective Conference have come under fire for their heavy-handedness against journalists covering the conference. 

Over 1 000 media personnel were accredited to cover the conference, currently underway at Nasrec. 

On Tuesday, reports emerged on the harsh treatment media covering President Jacob Zuma and newly-elected ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa's walkabouts were subjected to.

A video emerged on social media showing journalist Sam Mkokeli being repeatedly shoved and pushed by security personnel. It remains unclear what triggered the incident. 

In the video, posted by Khaya FM's Shoeshoe, SAPS officers and security are seen pushing Mkokeli, in an attempt to forcibly remove him from the area. 

Mkokeli, along with PowerFM anchor Iman Rappetti and Jan Delange, are heard questioning the reason behind the forced removal. 

"Where am I going... No, what are you doing. I'm not a threat to you," he asks.

Security Personnel assaulting and pushing around @SAEditorsForum’s @msmkokeli at the #ANCConference2017 #kayanews @KayaNews pic.twitter.com/u7H0wkuOlG

— Shoeshoe Qhu 📻 (@ShoeshoeQhu) December 19, 2017

A person can also be seen trying to block Shoeshoe from taking the video, to which she responds that it needs to be taken. 

[WATCH] You can hear @msmkokeli @imanrappetti Jan Delange trying to reason with the SAPS officer Tankiso Moshoeshoe whose tag identifies him as a commando #ANC54 pic.twitter.com/G4bVFaqVIk

— Shoeshoe Qhu 📻 (@ShoeshoeQhu) December 19, 2017

Following this, other media personnel reported being treated harshly by security during the walkabouts. 

"We are actually working on it. Bear with us colleagues. Words cannot express our disappointment. We are on your side and we are working on returning Sam’s tag," the ANC responded.

Can we be informed where there are incidents to avoid us

The South African National Editors Forum (Sanef) said it would follow up on the incident. 

Mkokeli is a Sanef member. 

The party's communications team has since said it was disappointed by the incident and would look into it. 

We are actually working on it. Bear with us... words cannot express our disappointment. 

"We are on your side and we are working on returning Sam’s tag," they said.

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