Lovemore Meya, a correspondent with The Herald was on 5 January 2016 severely assaulted by anti-riot police while covering clashes between commuter omnibus touts and residents in Harare’s dormitory town of Chitungwiza recently.
Meya sustained injuries after the police struck him with batons, slapped and kicked him several times despite having shown them his journalism accreditation card.
They seized his camera and ordered him to delete the pictures he had taken. He was treated at Parirenyatwa Hospital for generalised limb pain, swollen forearm and a bloodshot left eye.
The matter was reported at Harare Central Police Station.
National police spokesperson Chief Superintendent Paul Nyathi said investigations were underway to promote safety of journalist in Zimbabwe.
MISA-Zimbabwe’s position
MISA-Zimbabwe strongly condemns the escalation in cases involving the assault of journalists by the police. The police should ensure perpetrators are brought to book since a report of the assault was made at Harare Central Police station under case number IRO1/02/64.
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