On 1 March 2019, photojournalist with the Midlands Observer, Mduduzi Masiya was physically assaulted by the ruling party ZANU PF youth after covering the monthly clean-up exercise in Kwekwe.
Masiya says he went to the ZANU-PF’s Kwekwe headquarters to interview former Kwekwe legislator Vongai Mupereri, soon after covering the event in the city centre. When Masiya was making his way out of the offices, he met an unidentified ZANU-PF youth who accused him of being an opposition party member. The youth league member, who could not be identified, went on to strike Masiya on the face with an open palm.
The perpetrator allegedly backed down only after the intervention of Tapiwa Muto ZANU-PF’s chairperson for Kwekwe.
MISA Zimbabwe Position
MISA Zimbabwe condemns the violation of media freedoms by political party supporters and members. Sadly, this trend continues unabated in 2019. The practice of journalism is not a crime, but a constitutional right, as such, MISA Zimbabwe urges political parties on all sides of the political divide to respect and promote media freedoms.
MISA Zimbabwe also reminds media practitioners to employ the profession’s safety and security measures while out in the field. Media practitioners are advised to also utilise the MISA JournoSOS App as well as the MISA Panic Button App in the event of any violations. MISA Zimbabwe staff is also on standby to assist media practitioners injured or arrested in the line of duty. The MISA Hotline is 0784 437 338.
//END
