The police have been condemned for attacking 3 reporters and a driver from Alpha Media Holdings and detaining one of them, Obey Manayiti. The police allegedly accused the reporters of taking photographs before proceeding to assault them. The police then turned around and accused Manayiti and photojournalist, Shepherd Tozvireva of assaulting them. Manayiti is being detained overnight, while Tozvireva, Matsikidze and Phiri were released.
Media Institute of Southern Africa Zimbabwe (Misa) chairperson, Kumbirai Mafunda said:
We know police pick up journalists and detain them, that in itself an attack on press freedom, but this time they have gone too far, attacking and assaulting journalists should be frowned upon.
Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe added:
The heavy-handed and unlawful actions by the police pose great risk to the lives of journalists discharging their constitutionally protected responsibility of keeping the public informed.
More: NewsDay
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