Three Bulawayo based journalists were reportedly assaulted by the suspected Zanu-PF supporters while covering skirmishes that had errupted in the city between supporters of the party and vendors on Sunday, Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) reveals.
The three are Annahstacia Ndlovu (pictured), Pamenus Tuso and Lungelo Ndlovu who filed a report of the assault at Bulawayo Central Police Station.
A press statement issued on Monday by MISA reveals that Ndlovu was was approached by two of the Zanu-PF supporters and asked to her to identify herself.
The party supporters allegedly instructed Ndlovu to stop filming the skirmishes and her phone was damaged in the process.
She was then asked to delete the footage from her device and the alleged assailants went on to slam her against one of the trucks that were parked nearby.
Ndlovu is said to have sustained injuries to her abdomen and the other two journalists had by then fled the scene fearing for their safety.
MISA urged members of the republic police to take thorough investigations into the matter and deal with the alleged culprits accordingly.
“MISA Zimbabwe urges the police to investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book as this will send a strong message to would-be other perpetrators that crimes against journalists conducting their lawful duties will not be tolerated,” partly reads the statement.
Media practitioners were also urged to exercise extreme caution when covering potentially volatile situations.
The statement reads: “We also implore journalists and other media workers to exercise extreme caution in line with the profession’s safety and security manuals when covering potentially volatile situations.”
