South African Consulate in Auckland? Protestors and media confused
Media didn't seem to know better than a group of paint-throwing protestors when reporting an attack on the "South African Consulate" in Auckland.
Media didn’t seem to know better than a group of paint-throwing protestors when reporting an attack on the "South African Consulate" in Auckland.
More than 60 protestors paint bombed a building in the leafy Auckland suburb of Epsom on Saturday after ANC government troops shot dead 34 striking mine-workers.
The building attacked was Epsom law firm Stafford Klaassen.
But that is not what TV3 reported when the story led its news bulletin that night.
“Protesters have attacked the South African Consulate building in Auckland,” news presenter Simon Shepherd announced.
“They used paint bombs to splatter the walls and windows and stuck a letter on the door for South Africa’s President Jacob Zuma.”
Self-styled activist John Minto – better remembered as a pro-black anti-tour wrecker – was interviewed: “We’ve turned up here to send a message of absolute disgust to Jacob Zuma because we hold him responsible for this massacre.”
Stafford Klaassen lets the Consulate of the Republic of South Africa use its meeting room from time to time.
Honorary consul Jock Irvine is a former partner of Simpson Grierson.
The South African High Commission, however, is in Wellington.
Mr Minto has denied responsibility for the vandalism of Stafford Klaassen's building.
The firm has made a complaint to the police.
Meanwhile, it is left wondering who will clean the paint off its walls.
Georgina Bond
Thu, 23 Aug 2012
Thu, 23 Aug 2012
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South African Consulate in Auckland? Protestors and media confused
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