Zuma wants answers on 'journo manhandling'

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma has requested a report from the SA Police Service on an incident between his protection unit and a 702 Eyewitness News reporter.

This follows criticism that Zuma's VIP Protection Unit allegedly manhandled and mistreated journalists while the President was visiting the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital on Tuesday.

"The Presidency recognises the need for the media to be able to freely and effectively cover the President's activities.

"They should be able to exercise their constitutional rights unhindered," Zuma's office said in a statement.

It also noted that the protection unit has a responsibility to guarantee the president's safety at all times, and to take all reasonable and necessary measures to ensure his security is not compromised.

The Presidency said it was discussing a proposal for a workshop between the Presidential Protection Unit and the media with the SAPS