Nutbush

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Johannesburg - A Gauteng police spokesperson says a South African journalist has been arrested for "interfering with police" at the Magaliesburg lodge where three foreign journalists were robbed on Wednesday.

Spokesperson Chairmaine Muller said: "He was only detained for an hour and was released on a warning. He was not formally charged."

She said she did not know which media house he represented.

Three journalists, two Portuguese and one Spanish, in South Africa to cover the World Cup, were robbed at gunpoint at the lodge north-west of Johannesburg early on Wednesday morning.

Spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi said two robbers had broken into a three-bedroom chalet at the Nutbush Boma lodge around 04:00.

"One of the journalists was awake and saw the men.

"One of the suspects pointed a gun at the journalist and told him to lie down. He obliged and the suspects ransacked the place, taking passports, clothes, laptops and cameras."

Mulaudzi said the two other journalists slept through the attack.

Brought to book

Government spokesperson Themba Maseko appealed to the media to allow the police to do their job without interference.

"Government appreciates that the robbery of Portuguese journalists is of interest to the media. However, we appeal for responsibility and patience from the media," he said.

Maseko said police were trying to ascertain the facts of the crime and said the perpetrators would be brought to book.

"Systems are in place to deal with this, including activating 24-hour World Cup-specific courts."

Maseko said media requests to accompany police to operational activities or control rooms would not be granted.

"Government urges the media to abide by the rule of law. Information will be made available upon finalisation of the investigation."