A surprising number of people who saw the video footage of EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu choking a journalist in the parliamentary precinct questioned what the reporter had done to provoke the attack.
The clip begins with what the EFF calls a "scuffle" already under way, so the events leading up to it are not recorded. Shivambu apparently became infuriated when journalist Adrian de Kock approached him to ask whether he wanted to comment on Cape Town mayor Patricia de Lille's disciplinary hearing and took pictures of him.
Shivambu has since apologised, but I am curious to know what the trigger for the attack was - that De Kock was doing his job as a journalist, that he is white, or that he took pictures of Shivambu?
It is quite ridiculous to have to even consider this as there can be no justification for a politician assaulting a journalist. But in the environment in which we operate, it would be good to know.
At a Human Rights Day rally in Ermelo on Wednesday, EFF leader Julius Malema told his supporters that while journalists should not be threatened, those who spread "false news" should be confronted.
"Let's tell journalists: 'Why do you tweet or speak nonsense? We shall confront you because media freedom should not suppress a contestation of ideas.'"
Again, this needs clarity.
Journalists are part of the commentariat and we express ourselves continuously on a range of issues. Who should police what we tweet and how are we to be "confronted" for our views?..