When two of Middelburg\u2019s own traffic officials were among the eight,\u00a0www.mobserver.co.za\u00a0<\/b>vowed to keep its finger on the pulse.
\nThe two officers, Simphiwe Nkosi and Zanele Vilakazi, appeared in court on charges of soliciting bribes from motorists.<\/p>\n
A journalist from\u00a0www.mobserver.co.za<\/b>\u00a0attended their bail hearing to dutifully report on the case, when things took a sudden turn.<\/p>\n
The journalist, Ms Tiisetso Malunga, who applied for permission to photograph the suspects in court, was asked to take the stand and face the impending wrath of the defence attorneys.
\nThe defence attorney did what he could to break down Ms Malunga\u2019s motivation behind her application.<\/p>\n
Also read: Nabbed cops granted bail<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The attorney accused Ms Malunga of \u201ctarnishing\u201d his client\u2019s reputation for monetary gain, and argued that it was not in the public\u2019s interest for the suspects to be identified. He asked how their roles as law enforcers was relevant to the public, knowing full well that the media is rightfully inclined to identify the accused once they have been charged.<\/p>\n Ms Malunga did well to represent her application in court, on the grounds that she serves in the public\u2019s interest. Her tenacious battle represents the freedom of speech and constitutional right to information, that each citizen is entitled to.<\/p>\n If the press can be silenced, so can the people.<\/p>\n The magistrate eventually ruled in favour of her application.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The ferals need help<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n #TrafficAlert: R555 closed, seven die in horrific crash<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Middelburg police officer arrested during Hawks operation<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u2022 Save our standby number (072 248 3855) and send us a WhatsApp message with the words \u201cAdd me\u201d to be added to our broadcast list.<\/p>\n \u2022 Like us on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>, follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u2022 Subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube channel<\/a>.<\/p>\nAlso read:<\/h3>\n
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