The National Press Club says journalists should be allowed to do their work. This follows an alleged attack on a Pretoria News photographer.

He was assaulted by a security guard outside the hospital where former President Nelson Mandela is being treated.

The attack happened on Monday. Phil Magakoe was trying to get a picture of Madiba’s former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, when the incident happened. Magakoe has since laid charges of common assault and malicious damage to property against the security guard.

Club chairperson Jos Charle said journalists are only serving the world, who wants to know how the elderly statesman is doing.

“The media that is camped outside the hospital where Mandela is being treated was taking pictures when Winnie Mandela arrived. They took pictures from the outside of the hospital and then after Winnie walked in, apparently a security guard approached the media threatened them and swore at them and in the processes a photographer at the Pretoria News was struck in the face and he had his camera kicked out of his hands.”

Meanwhile, journalists together with the rest of South Africa and the world appear to be cautiously optimistic this Thursday morning after President Jacob Zuma announced that Mandela is responding to treatment.

It seems most international media delegations are starting their day later than usual outside the hospital where Madiba is receiving treatment. The usually busy street seems strangely desolated compared to previous mornings – with closed broadcast vans, covered trailers and silent generators.

It is expected that Madiba’s family members will again visit him in hospital throughout the day. Only a limited number of people are allowed as he is in intensive care.

Mandela is starting his sixth day in the intensive care unit of a Pretoria hospital. He is being treated for a recurring lung infection.
For more http://www.sabc.co.za