Photographer arrested for 'cop raid' snaps
9 June 2008, 15:01
By Niémah Davids
A Cape Argus photographer, taking pictures of a police raid at a tavern in Delft South at the weekend, spent a day behind bars after police arrested him at the scene.
He faces charges of resisting arrest and obstructing police from performing their duties.
Mlandeli Puzi, who has recently been employed as a photographer at the Cape Argus, was arrested at about midnight on Saturday, after he took pictures of police officials raiding a tavern called the White House.
Lubo Tshaya, who had been with Puzi when he was arrested, said he, Puzi and several of their friends, were close to the tavern when they noticed a heavy police contingent approaching. He said that only once they stopped outside the tavern had they realised it was a police raid.
The raid had apparently got out of control and police were forced to fire rubber bullets.
"Immediately Mlandeli took out his camera and took shots. He then went closer and took some more; only then did police come," he said.
Puzi had snapped a few shots from inside his friend's car and, after changing his camera lens, he got out of the car and moved closer to the scene. He was then spotted by a police officer.
"The officer just grabbed his camera and shoved him inside the van; we couldn't understand why," Tshaya said.
Police spokesperson Billy Jones said Puzi had been arrested for resisting arrest and obstructing police from performing their duties.
"No one is allowed in the operation area beside police and the parties concerned, and failure to comply will result in arrest," he said.
Puzi was released on bail last night and was expected to appear in court later on Monday.
Cape Argus editor Chris Whitfield said on Monday: "We are naturally concerned about the circumstances surrounding Mlandeli's arrest, and will be monitoring court proceedings closely."
A Cape Argus photographer, taking pictures of a police raid at a tavern in Delft South at the weekend, spent a day behind bars after police arrested him at the scene.
He faces charges of resisting arrest and obstructing police from performing their duties.
Mlandeli Puzi, who has recently been employed as a photographer at the Cape Argus, was arrested at about midnight on Saturday, after he took pictures of police officials raiding a tavern called the White House.
Lubo Tshaya, who had been with Puzi when he was arrested, said he, Puzi and several of their friends, were close to the tavern when they noticed a heavy police contingent approaching. He said that only once they stopped outside the tavern had they realised it was a police raid.
The raid had apparently got out of control and police were forced to fire rubber bullets.
"Immediately Mlandeli took out his camera and took shots. He then went closer and took some more; only then did police come," he said.
Puzi had snapped a few shots from inside his friend's car and, after changing his camera lens, he got out of the car and moved closer to the scene. He was then spotted by a police officer.
"The officer just grabbed his camera and shoved him inside the van; we couldn't understand why," Tshaya said.
Police spokesperson Billy Jones said Puzi had been arrested for resisting arrest and obstructing police from performing their duties.
"No one is allowed in the operation area beside police and the parties concerned, and failure to comply will result in arrest," he said.
Puzi was released on bail last night and was expected to appear in court later on Monday.
Cape Argus editor Chris Whitfield said on Monday: "We are naturally concerned about the circumstances surrounding Mlandeli's arrest, and will be monitoring court proceedings closely."
- This article was originally published on page 4 of The Cape Argus on June 09, 2008
Cape Town
