President Jacob Zuma's VIP Protection Unit on Tuesday assaulted an Eyewitness News on-line journalist.

The incident occurred after the reporter, Tshepo Lesole, tried to take a picture of part of Zuma's cavalcade during his trip to the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital.

Accused of insult

Lesole was walking in to the main hospital building when some VIP guards suddenly grabbed him and tried to stop him from walking away.

The men refused to release him claiming that he had insulted them after they grabbed him.

Lesole was then forced to delete the pictures from his camera before he was released.