Pretoria: A news photographer has laid a charge against police she says assaulted her outside Deputy President Jacob Zuma's residence yesterday.

Liza van Deventer was attempting to take a photo of Zuma's home when two men in civilian clothes sped up in a BMW.

They got out the vehicle, cornered her and asked her who she was and what she was doing.

"I explained to them that I was a photographer for the Pretoria News - and that is when they went for me," she said.

The officer grabbed her camera and then her arm, she said.

"There was no identification on them or their vehicle," Van Deventer added.

A scuffle ensued between Van Deventer and the men.

Only later did they say they were members of the VIP Protection Services but were still not willing to provide their rank, identity or service number.

Van Deventer and the men went to the Sunnyside Police Station where she was issued with a warning for contravening the National Key Point Act, which prohibits the taking of pictures of areas identified as national key points.

Van Deventer laid a charge of assault against the policemen.

Police spokesman, Director Sally de Beer, said the policemen were just doing their job.

The police vowed not to touch the camera but when Van Deventer checked, all her images had been erased, she said.

With acknowledgements to Cindy Zeilhofer and the Cape Times.