ANN7 journo suspended for allegedly head-butting news editor

Cape Town – An ANN7 journalist has been suspended after he allegedly head-butted the company’s news editor over a story at their newsroom in Johannesburg. Police in Midrand, where the news organisation’s office is based, also confirmed they were investigating a case of common assault laid by news editor Abhinav Sahay. “The complainant alleged that the suspect assaulted him while he was asking him about the status of the story. The suspect got angry and started to assault him and hit him with his head,” Constable Matome Tlamela told News24 on Thursday.

Sahay apparently sustained a cut to his upper lip, which started bleeding. Tlamela said no arrest had yet been made. ANN7 editor-in-chief Moegsien Williams sent an e-mail to staff shortly after the alleged incident on Wednesday. Company spokesperson Gary Naidoo confirmed over the phone that Williams had sent the e-mail. “We are all aware of the unsavoury incident that occurred in the ANN7 newsroom earlier today. As a company, we cannot condone this type of behaviour which was a physical attack on a colleague,” the e-mail stated.

“In addition, it disrupted operations and brought the company’s reputation into question.” Williams stated further that they had a zero tolerance approach to violence in the workplace. They had initiated disciplinary processes as a result and the “assailant” in the matter was suspended with immediate effect. “With regard to the company’s disciplinary processes, we will keep you informed of its outcome.” Naidoo said he would respond to an e-mailed enquiry later on Thursday. The suspended employee, did not respond to a phone call or an SMS requesting his version of events.