By Palesa Matlala
- Police arrested Stuart James Scharnick after he allegedly confronted and intimidated journalist Herman Moloi over a recording made during the Madlanga Commission.
- Sowetan condemned the alleged intimidation and warned that threatening journalists also threatens the public’s right to information and media freedom.
A man has been arrested inside the Madlanga Commission after allegedly intimidating a journalist who was covering the inquiry in Pretoria.
Stuart James Scharnick was arrested by members of the South African Police Service after Sowetan journalist Herman Moloi opened a case against him.
The confrontation reportedly started after Moloi filmed Scharnick interacting with suspended National Coloured Congress Member of Parliament Fadiel Adams during proceedings.
The commission is sitting at the Bridget Mabandla Justice College in Pretoria.
Scharnick allegedly confronted Moloi over the recording and intimidated him.
Moloi then reported the incident to police.
Police officers later arrested Scharnick at the commission.
The incident has sparked concern about the safety of journalists covering the high profile inquiry.
Sowetan editor Sibongakonke Shoba strongly condemned what happened to the newspaper’s reporter.
“The Sowetan is appalled by the unacceptable conduct of Stuart-James Scharnik, who threatened and intimidated our reporter Herman Moloi, who is covering the Madlanga Commission from the Bridget Mabandla Justice College. We condemn this behaviour in the strongest terms,” Shoba said.
Shoba said the newspaper had also lodged a complaint with the commission and opened a criminal case with police.
“Threats against journalists are a threat against democracy,” he said.
He said journalists must be allowed to report on matters that are in the public interest without facing threats, harassment or fear.
The newspaper believes the impact of such intimidation goes beyond the journalist involved.
When reporters are prevented or frightened from doing their jobs, Shoba said, the public’s ability to receive information is also affected.
“We call on law enforcement to act swiftly against the perpetrator to protect media freedom,” he said.
Scharnick has separately been accused of involvement in serious criminal activity and has been described as a “serial hijacker” with an extensive criminal record.
Those claims are separate from the intimidation case which led to his arrest at the commission.
Scharnick is also described as an associate of suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya.
His arrest added another dramatic development to proceedings at the Madlanga Commission, which has been hearing evidence involving senior police officials and other figures.
The intimidation allegations will now be dealt with through the criminal justice process.
Pictured above: Stuart James Scharnick was arrested at the Madlanga Commission after allegedly intimidating Sowetan journalist Herman Moloi.
Image source: File
