Journalist assaulted by CCC security personnel
What happened
Journalist Ruvimbo Muchenje, of the NewsHawks, was allegedly assaulted by Citizens’ Coalition for Change’s security personnel on 11 September 2022.
Muchenje was covering a CCC rally at Gadzema Stadium in Chinhoyi when the party leader, Nelson Chamisa’s security personnel allegedly accosted her.
It is reported that Muchenje was grabbed by her hair, dragged and pulled down and thrown to the ground.
MISA Zimbabwe notes with concern the continued perpetration of violence towards journalists by political party activists and security personnel. MISA Zimbabwe condemns all forms of violence against journalists who will be undertaking their constitutional mandate and urges stakeholders to ensure that they respect, promote and uphold the Constitution, which is the supreme law of the land.
This year has witnessed an upsurge in the number of attacks against journalists and this is considerably worrying as the country moves towards elections next year. The role of journalists in covering rallies is to allow the public to receive reliable information and this should not be underestimated.
MISA Zimbabwe, therefore, calls on all stakeholders, including political parties, the Ministry of Information Publicity and Broadcasting Services and the police to ensure that journalists can freely undertake their professional duties.
MISA urges all journalists in distress to call the MISA Zimbabwe hotline on +263 784 437 338 or utilise the MISA Panic Button alert accessible on this link.
About MISA
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) was founded in 1992. Its work focuses on promoting, and advocating for, the unhindered enjoyment of freedom of expression, access to information and a free, independent, diverse and pluralistic media.
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Journalist Ruvimbo Muchenje
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Citizens’ Coalition for Change’s security personnel
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Gadzema Stadium in Chinhoyi