ZMC to investigate alleged assault of TechMagTV editor-in-chief

MISA Zimbabwe welcomes reports that the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) will investigate the alleged assault on TechMagTV editor-in-chief Toneo Rutsito while he was covering the funeral of the late businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife.

According to The Herald, ZMC executive secretary Godwin Phiri confirmed that the Commission received a formal complaint from Rutsito on 9 October 2026 after his alleged assault.

Phiri said the Commission would investigate the allegations and engage with the parties involved.

This is a welcome development that should go a long way towards buttressing the Commission’s constitutional functions to uphold, promote and develop freedom of the media, fair competition and media diversity.

The Commission, among its other functions, is mandated to enforce good practice and ethics in the media and to ensure that the people of Zimbabwe have fair and wide access to information.

Without preempting, the Commission’s investigations, MISA Zimbabwe urges journalists to always acquaint themselves with the profession’s safety and security guidelines and to work as safely as possible to minimise harm.

On the other hand, the authorities should take the necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of journalists and to protect citizens’ right to access information in the public interest.

Any restriction should thus be fair, reasonable, necessary and justifiable in a democratic society, in the interests of defence, public safety and public order, and with due regard for the rights and freedoms of other persons.

MISA Zimbabwe reiterates its call for Zimbabwe to adopt and localise the United Nations (UN) Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.

The Plan of Action is anchored on four fundamental pillars: Prevention, Protection, Prosecution and Partnerships.