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Journalist assaulted and threatened
MISA-Zimbabwe
April 20, 2004

Richard Musazulwa, a correspondent for the weekly The Standard newspaper, was detained by members of the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) on Sunday 19 April 2004 at the Zimbabwe Military Academy (ZMA) camp in the city of Gweru about 275 km south of the capital Harare.

Musazulwa told MISA-Zimbabwe that he was detained, assaulted and harassed over a story he wrote in January alleging that about 65 ZNA recruits had fled from the camp over the harsh and rigorous training they were going through.

Musazulwa said members of the ZNA picked him at the ZMA where he was invited to attend a luncheon to mark the national Independence Day celebrations on 19 April.

He told MISA-Zimbabwe that he was harassed and assaulted by army members before they threatened him with elimination for that story. Musazulwa identified one Colonel Moyo who he says was part of the group. He added that army officers searched him and took his notebook before they detained him briefly in a toilet. He says he was only let off after the scuffle attracted other members of public attending the function.

Contacted for comment by MISA-Zimbabwe the Spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Military Academy identified only as Major Peters denied the allegations of harassment. He said the journalist was turned away because of the bad publicity he had caused as a result of the story.

“These allegations are malicious. We did not assault this guy. We gave him an escort to take him out because he was not welcome due to that article that he wrote.” Said Major Peters.

Musazulwa said he did not sustain any serious injuries.

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