NEWS editor of e.tv Ben Said and journalist Mpho Lakaje will appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court today after police slapped them with subpoenas forcing them to appear in court to reveal the names and contact details of the men who claimed on eNews that they would "rob and kill" 2010 World Cup soccer fans, writes Harriet McLea in The Times.
The subpoenas were served to force e.tv to provide unedited footage of the interview of the men.
The station is, however, standing firmly behind its journalists and will defend them "using every potential legal avenue including, if possible, the Constitutional Court", said communications manager Vasili Vass.
The South African National Editors' Forum and the National Press Club called on national police commissioner Bheki Cele and Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa to withdraw the subpoenas.
National Press Club chairman Yusuf Abramjee said that one of the two men featured in the interview was arrested, and the Hawks police unit has confirmed that it knows the identity of the second person.
"In view of these developments, there is absolutely no reason why Said and Lakaje should be hauled before a court," said Abramjee.
Mthethwa's spokesman, Zweli Mnisi, explained that the minister would have considered withdrawing the subpoenas if the second person had also been arrested.
Click here to read the full report, posted on timeslive.co.za.
