Resist, Reject and Report Violence, #RRRV2023
Attack on Journalists
The ZPP is concerned by the recent trend of journalists being attacked and barred from
covering political stories, particularly those involving the opposition party. On 19
January, the editor of the Masvingo Mirror, Garikai Mafirakureva, was arrested by the
police in Masvingo on charges of publishing or communicating false information
prejudicial to the State. Mafirakureva was accused of contravening Section 31 (a) (iii) of
the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. It is alleged Mafirakureva published
false information when he commented on a murder case, that 'it could be swept under
the carpet' due to the alleged connection between senior officers within the CID
Department in Masvingo and the accused. On 16 January, several journalists were
barred by anti-riot police from entering a courtroom at the Harare Magistrates Court to
cover the initial appearance of 25 CCC supporters who had been arrested and charged
with participating in a gathering with intent to incite public violence. Journalists who
intended to cover the court case were maltreated and dragged out of the court despite
producing their Press Cards. One police officer was quoted shouting, "the courtroom is
full, and the media is already inside. Go outside. You better start running, else I will hurt
you". However, the police allowed two state media journalists representing The Herald
and Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) to enter the courtroom.
Recommendations
The Zimbabwe Media Commission should take a more proactive role in condemning
the partisan nature of the Zimbabwe Republic Police towards journalists, hindering
them from carrying out their work.
CSOs should engage the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission to conduct capacity
strengthening of the ZRP’s mandate, as provided in the constitution. The training
would be on the role and importance of journalists in information dissemination and
on how to engage with them as they carry out their duties especially as we head
towards the harmonised elections.
January 2023
The Zimbabwe Peace Project Monthly Monitoring Report
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