On 13 February 2009 a similar incident occurred where a Pretoria News journalist was shot during a student protest at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). Pretoria News released a statement calling for the media to look into the possibility of giving press jackets for journalists to wear while covering demonstrations, marches and other such high security risk events. This according to the newspaper, could help police easily identify media workers. However, some media workers have expressed concerns that having journalists wear press jackets to identify them may also have it’s flaws, as they could be vulnerable to attacks since they would be easily identified by protestors and anti press elements.
Meanwhile, Police Superintendent Vincent Mdunge said, photographers were “driven more by what they want to accomplish than realizing the danger of the situation”.
MISA-South Africa condemned the manner in which the police handled the situation. Our concern is not only about the journalist being shot, but also other protesters who got hurt during the shoot out. As MISA-South Africa we would wish to see a solution on the safety of journalists in such situations,.
1.9.2009
15:44
South Africa: Newspaper Photographer Shot During Protest
South Africas Times Newspaper photographer was shot on 30 August 2009 when as police dispersed protesting Inkatha Freedom Party supporters. Teboho Letsie who was shot just under his arm. " There was no threat to the police, I was very close to the police. They could see I was not part of the march, lamented Letsie.