SOUTH AFRICA MEDIA FREEDOM VIOLATIONS AND VICTORIES 10 January 2017 KILLED OR MISSING South African photojournalist Shiraaz Mohamed, was kidnapped in northern Syria by unidentified armed men as he tried to leave the country in the company of members of the South African charity Gift of the Givers. Amid fears for his safety, attempts are still being made to have him freed. 23 February 2017 THREATENED Two members of the SA Police visited the offices of the Mail and Guardian newspaper in Johannesburg on what they described as an investigation of a complaint by the Public Protector. They requested a statement from journalist Philip de Wet on the source of a “leaked” draft report by the Public Protector on a questionable apartheid era state financial bail-out, that has become known as the AbsaBankcorp matter. Sanef protested, reiterating that the confidentiality of sources was not only sacrosanct but the cornerstone of the ability of whistleblowers to expose corruption and other malfeasance in the public interest. 24 February 2017 ASSAULTED SABC journalists reported attacks by demonstrators taking part in protests in Pretoria. They were robbed of their mobile phones and equipment. 8 April 2017 CENSORED Freelance photojournalist Jacob Mawela complained of intimidation attempts by security officials of the Gauteng Member of Executive Council, Lebogang Maile. Mawela was covering the Township Entrepreneurship Awards at Carnival City when he was accosted by the security officials for having focused his camera on the MEC. He was ordered to either pack up his photographic equipment and leave or be physically removed from the venue. 7 May 2017 ASSAULTED SABC journalists covering public protests in Vuwani, Limpopo, were physically attacked. One cameraperson was assaulted and three vehicles belonging to the public broadcaster were damaged. 8 May 2017 ASSAULTED Protestors and farmers in Coligny attacked and chased away journalists who were covering the violence that erupted in the aftermath of a court decision. Photographic equipment belonging to journalists from various media houses was also damaged. The Minister of Police, Fikile Mbalula, condemned the attacks.