SAFREA calls for formal investigation into Anton Hammerl case
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The Southern African Freelancers Association (Safrea) is shocked and deeply saddened by the news of the senseless killing of South African freelance photographer Anton Hammerl in a remote location in the Libyan desert and the consequent 44 day cover-up of his fate in the face of an international outcry for news about his wellbeing and his release.
Safrea offers its heartfelt condolences to Anton’s family who have been living in hope from the moment Anton disappeared in Libya on 5 April this year, as Libyan officials assured them that they had Anton in custody.
Safrea Chairperson Georgina Guedes has called for greater accountability from government on exactly what steps were taken to elicit the truth from the Libyan government after 44 days of fruitless hope and intentional deception.
Safrea is fully aware of the fact that the life of a war correspondent is continually at risk, but we are riled by the dismal way the matter was handled by the South African government stating that Anton was alive, and then blaming the media for misquoting Minister Nkoana-Mashabane.
We are further frustrated by Government’s soft approach at this mornings’ media conference in Pretoria when it came to light how South Africans were deceived by Libya. Nkoana-Mashabane’s meek “We will continue to seek and demand the truth” and mere expressions of disappointment don’t ring true and are less than Hammerl, as a highly respected photographer who contributed frequently to the cause of African journalism, deserves.
We are calling for a formal investigation into the matter. A South African citizen was killed by Libyan pro-Gadaffi forces and we want answers.
• How and why was Anton shot and reportedly left to die from his injuries?
• Did Pres. Jacob Zuma raise the topic of Anton’s disappearance while he met with Gadaffi as part of an African Union delegation on April 10-11 this year?
* Why the equivocal stance of the Department of International Relations about the matter, stating that they had proof of Anton’s wellbeing while he was already dead?
* What diplomatic steps SA will take if Gadaffi’s regime was lying?
* What efforts will the South African government make to recover Hammerl’s body for burial by his family?
“We would like to know what protection will be afforded to other South African citizens and journalists in similar situations in future,” says Guedes.
____
Issued by: Helen Ueckermann
On behalf of: The Southern African Freelancers’ Association (Safrea)
Contact: exco@safrea.co.za / 082 603 3335
About the Southern African Freelancers’ Association (Safrea): The Southern African Freelancers’ Association (Safrea) is a non-profit, professional membership organisation composed of freelance workers in the communications field. Members are writers, photographers, editors, proof-readers, graphic designers, illustrators, researchers, translators, and other experts in media and communication, offering a broad range of skills and specialities.
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