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NewsDay correspondent Kenneth Nyangani was on 8 December 2020 reportedly manhandled at the Zanu PF provincial headquarters in the eastern border town of Mutare while covering demonstrations by some party supporters.
Speaking to the media, the victim said his phone was confiscated and the battery removed, though he was later rescued resulting, in his phone being returned to him.
“While I was covering the event, they took my phone and asked me to delete pictures. They then took away the phone saying they wanted to make sure the pictures are deleted. They removed the phone battery,” he said
Commenting on the incident, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) said it is the right of journalists to do their work as without any unlawful hindrances as it is guaranteed by the constitution of Zimbabwe.
“Journalists have a right to do their work as guaranteed by the constitution and without any unlawful hindrances.”
MISA further urged political parties to educate its members on the rights of the media as stated in the Constitution.
“MISA Zimbabwe, therefore, urges political parties to educate their supporters on media rights as provided for in the Constitution.”
The Zanu PF supporters were reportedly demonstrating over the handling of the party’s district co-ordinating committee (DCC) elections.
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