Back to Index

Harassment of journalists at the High Court
Media Institute of Southern Africa - Zimbabwe Chapter (MISA-Zimbabwe)
February 04, 2003

MISA-Zimbabwe is appalled by the arrests of journalists, harassment and barring of some from accessing public arenas by the police. These developments relate directly to events at the High Court yesterday, 3 February 2003.

MISA-Zimbabwe notes that the police took it upon themselves to select which journalists would enter the courtroom. MISA-Zimbabwe notes with concern that it was only public media journalists who were allowed into the courtroom. These actions led to the arrests of two journalists, Pedzisai Ruhanya of the Daily News and Ish Mafundikwa a freelance journalist, when they questioned this anomaly. MISA-Zimbabwe condemns the arrests of Ruhanya and Mafundikwa for allegedly undermine police work. Such a charge we believe is a mockery of justice and ironical in that it is infact the police who undermined the work of the journalists.

MISA-Zimbabwe takes this time to remind the Zimbabwe Republic Police that whereas there is a legitimate duty to maintain peace and security, the police should not equally take the law into its own hands. The discrimination of private media journalists from public arenas is an unnecessary violation of the rights of journalists legitimately carrying out their duties. MISA-Zimbabwe equally condemns the selective application of the law by the police.

MISA-Zimbabwe applauds the High Court ruling that journalists and members of the public must be allowed into the courtroom. We note that the ruling was made after events that MISA-Zimbabwe believes should never have happened nor should be allowed to happen again.

The concerned High Court trial has wider implications for our political well being as a nation, as the accused, Morgan Tsvangirai, is the leader of the dominant opposition party. As such it is paramount that the proceedings be open to all media houses, members of the public and anyone who might have an interest. MISA-Zimbabwe therefore calls upon the police to exercise impartiality and restraint in their dealings with journalists.

For more information:
Rashweat Mukundu Research and Information Officer MISA-Zimbabwe
E mail: misa@mweb.co.zw

Visit the MISA-Zimbabwe fact sheet

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP