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Freelance journalist detained at Zanu PF offices
MISA-Zimbabwe
February 24, 2010

Freelance photojournalist Andrison Manyere was detained and questioned at Zanu PF's provincial offices in Harare at the start of a march by the party's supporters against targeted sanctions imposed by the West on senior Zanu PF officials.

Manyere said he was approached by one man who then led him to the Zanu PF offices where he was questioned on his role as a journalist and to whom he filed his video footages. "I was released after about 15 minutes of questioning," said Manyere.

He was, however, ordered to delete footage captured at the start of the march. Manyere later managed to film the last parts of the demonstration without any incident.

On 18 January 2010 Manyere was arrested by the police while covering a demonstration by members of the Women and Men of Zimbabwe Arise pressure group. He was released without charges.

MISA-Zimbabwe position

MISA-Zimbabwe strongly condemns the continued harassment, unlawful arrest and detention of journalists conducting their lawful professional duties. These wanton acts of impunity demand the strongest condemnation by the three political parties that signed the Global Political Agreement (GPA) which gave birth to the inclusive government.

The GPA was signed by Zanu PF and the two Movement for Democratic Change formations led by President Robert Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and Deputy Prime Minister Professor Arthur Mutambara respectively. MISA-Zimbabwe urges the inclusive government to condemn these unlawful acts, assure and secure the safety and security of journalists in terms of the principles and commitments pledged under the GPA. Under Article 19 of the GPA which deals with freedom of expression and communication, parties to the agreement acknowledge and recognise the role played by the media in a multi-party democracy and commit themselves to the creation of an open and free media environment.

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