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The SA National Editors’ Forum (Sanef) has slammed the vandalism and looting of community radio stations during protests in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng, which has forced some of them off air.
Four community radio stations were vandalised during the ongoing unrest that has engulfed the country.
Alex FM suffered damages worth about R5 million after protesters in Alexandra township stole studio equipment. The township was one of the worst hit as shopping centres were looted and vandalised across the two provinces this week.
READ: Tembisa community use their bodies as shields to protect mall from looters
Also damaged were Mams FM in Mamelodi in Pretoria, Intokozo 101.2 FM based in Umlazi, Durban and Westside FM in Kagiso in Krugersdorp.
Just yesterday we were employed & today we wake up to a new reality, in a blink of an eye, we are unemployed ?? I'm numb. Hooligans ransacked Mams Radio?? #SouthAfricaIsBurning #looting #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/p5wRY4EIw4
— Portia. (@Portia_Mashigo) July 13, 2021
“The four stations were attacked by thugs who damaged the properties as the thuggery, violence, lawlessness continues across Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal. All four stations have over the years been of great service to their communities,” Sanef said in a statement on Wednesday.
Photos | Soldiers descend on Gauteng after unrest
Managers told Sanef the radio stations had suffered immense damages: “Sanef earlier spoke to representatives from Alex FM and West Side FM who stated they would need help as they had lost a lot of assets. West Side FM is situated at a local mall, where shops were looted and vandalised.
“Alex FM has put all the losses, inclusive of studio computers, equipment and infrastructure around R5 million. Mams FM has been forced off air as the transmitter and studios were vandalised and equipment stolen last night [Tuesday],” the forum added.
BREAKING: Our studios have been destroyed and state of the art equipment worth millions of Rand stolen ??. We are currently off air #AlexFM pic.twitter.com/GfPDftjwga
— Alex FM Radio 891 (@AlexFMRadio891) July 13, 2021
Alex FM has been in operation for 27 years while West Side FM has been on air for eight years.
“It is a sad day when properties are vandalised by criminals purporting to have a cause to fight for, yet they choose to use violence and vandalism to achieve that cause. The two stations are now battling to get back on air and serve their communities as broadcasting equipment, among other assets, have been stolen,” said Sanef.
The station has found temporary studio space and is already back on air.
UPDATE: Dear listeners, your favourite radio will be back on air at 6AM Wednesday 13 July 2021.?? Will be broadcasting live from Sandton, Rivonia on 89.1 MHz same premises with @LMRadioSA @CliffCentralCom
— Alex FM Radio 891 (@AlexFMRadio891) July 13, 2021
Our studio equipment remains stolen ??. Thank you all. ^CS#ElevateYourMind pic.twitter.com/39aH0kszd6
READ: Are former state security agents linked to Zuma instigating the violence?
Sanef called on the SA Police Service and the SA National Defence Force to continue acting against these criminals parading as protesters during the unrest.
Several arrests have already been made in the two provinces’ hotspots since protests began a week ago.
Phindi Mjonondwane, the National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, said: “About 87 people will be appearing at Randburg [Magistrates] Court for damage and looting in Diepsloot.”
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