Barry Bateman
The South African Editors’ Forum has added its voice to a recent incident where Eyewitness News journalist Barry Bateman swore at EFF leader Julius Malema shortly after an interview. The video has been shared widely on social media resulting in Bateman’s name trending on Twitter. EWN has apologised to Malema for the foul language used by Bateman, but the party has rejected the apology. Bateman was taken off air immediately after it was made aware of the video and Eyewitness News will hold an internal investigation that would deal with the matter.
Malema was addressing the media following a meeting with the Hawks, where he was scheduled to deliver a warning statement relating to charges stemming from allegations that he discharged a firearm at a rally in East London. Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said the charges would be finalised next week.
Reacting to the charges, Malema said he would never apologise to the white man who refused him entry to the grave site of struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.