Zimbabwe: journalist assaulted by security officers
NUJ condemns actions by officials from the Citizen Coalition for Change political party, who attacked a journalist in Chinhoyi, central northern Zimbabwe.
The National Union of Journalists has joined sister union Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) in condemning the attack of Ruvimbo Muchenje.
Journalist Muchenje was assaulted by party officers as he attempted entry into a rally held by the Citizen Coalition for Change (CCC) political party.
The CCC has since apologised for the incident, although the ZUJ reports there have been a growing number of attacks on journalists harassed by varying political parties.
Anthony Bellanger, IFJ general secretary, stated the assault was “another manifestation of the despicable acts that security officers meted out to journalists who are simply doing their job to inform the public.
He said:
“Such actions must be condemned and the perpetrators must be brought to justice. The Government of Zimbabwe must do everything possible to guarantee the safety and security of journalists and media workers."