Suburban
Peter Tanyanyiwa Suburban Reporter
THE Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) has condemned the assault of journalist Ruvimbo Muchenje by opposition Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa’s security details.
Muchenje was assaulted at the weekend by the CCC overzealous security details in Chinhoyi at a rally addressed by Chamisa.
In a statement, ZUJ secretary general Perfect Hlongwane condemned the attack and harassment of journalists.
Hlongwane said ZUJ was disturbed by the continued attacks and assaults of journalists while executing their duties at political rallies.
“The latest incident where NewsHawks journalist Ruvimbo Muchenje was assaulted by Citizens Coalition for Change security details at a rally at Gadzema Stadium in Chinhoyi is saddening. As an organisation that represents journalists, we are deeply concerned by the pace at which (the) security of our members is deteriorating and the criminalisation of the profession. We would like to make a clear call to the police to look into this matter and make sure those behind the assault are arrested. The increase in the number of our members who are being harassed at political gatherings is worrying and should not be condoned. As we are drawing closer to the general elections, we shudder to think what 2023 will look like if journalists are treated this way,” he said.
The ZUJ official said it was time to end the harassment of journalists and urged political parties to control their supporters.
“We call on political parties to control their supporters to refrain from harassing and attacking journalists. ZUJ would like to make it clear that journalism is not a crime and all journalists in the country should be allowed to carry out their journalistic duties without any encumbrance. While ZUJ takes note of the apology by CCC for Ruvimbo’s assault, we still want to stress our discomfort and condemn such behaviour by a political party that should be preaching the gospel of press freedom every time and everywhere. The belated apology by CCC for assaulting an accredited journalist on duty only shows that the operating environment for media practitioners remains hostile and unsafe which is frightening as we move closer to 2023,” said Hlongwane.
ZUJ said political parties should allow journalists to do their work without threats to their safety.
