By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Newzroom Afrika news anchor Aldrin Sampear. Picture: @aldrinsampear/Instagram.
Newzroom Afrika anchor Aldrin Sampear has been taken off air with immediate effect pending the internal investigation into the alleged assualt involving a 20 year old student.
The incident has sparked widespread attention after a video, recorded by the victim, went viral on social media.
In a brief statement, “The television news channel said, it is aware of incident of involving anchor Aldrin Sampear last week. Sampear will take a break from his duties with immediate effect, pending internal review of the matter.”
“Newzroom Afrika takes the allegations very seriously and we will work swiftly to address the concerns raised, read the statement.”
In the video footage, Sampear is seen confronting the woman, accusing her of giving him the middle finger, while she accuses him of physically hitting her.
Sampear can be seen pointing a finger at a woman behind the phone and asking, “Why did you do what you did? Why did you give me the middle finger?”
The woman can be heard saying: “Stop hitting me. Why are you hitting me? I am going to call the police.”
The victim, Laricia Augusto, claimed she started recording the video after Sampear grabbed her arm.
Sampear denied he assaulted her, saying there was an exchange of words from both parties.
SA Police Services in Gauteng confirmed that a case of common assault has been opened and though no arrest was made.
Five years ago, Sampear admitted in the media that he had assaulted women before. He chalked it up to being provoked at the time but claimed he had since outgrown that behaviour.