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Security minister threatens journalist
MISA-Zimbabwe
May 29, 2006

The Zimbabwean Minister of National Security, Didymus Mutasa has threatened to set the notorious Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) on Walter Marwizi, the News Editor of The Zimbabwe Standard newspaper.

Mutasa issued the threat last week when asked to respond to allegations that politicians in Manicaland were disappointed with the firing of commissioners running the city of Mutare by the Minister of Local Government, Ignatius Chombo.

Mutasa is quoted as having said, "I want to know your source in the cabinet. You know I am the minister in charge of security. I will deal with you ruthlessly if you don’t tell me the source… I won’t come in person, I am sending my operatives and they will do a clean job."

The minister is also reported to have ignored the journalist’s explanation that it is unethical to reveal one’s sources and proceeded to ask for Marwizi’s name so that the CIO can easily identify him.

The Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ), Foster Dongozi castigated the minister and said Mutasa will be held accountable if any harm befalls Marwizi or any journalist from The Standard.

"It is high time government ministers are held accountable for their statements and actions. We will not stand idly by and allow high ranking officials to make such reckless statements while hiding behind the might of the military or security agencies they control," said Dongozi.

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