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Malema aides attack Daily News reporters
MISA-Zimbabwe
October 16, 2012

Daily News reporters, Bethule Nkiwane and Tendai Kamhungira,were manhandled and threatened by expelled South African ANC Youth League president Julius Malema's bouncers in Harare on Sunday, 13 October 2012.

The bouncers harassed the two journalists when they tried to interview Malema about the money laundering charges he is facing in South Africa and his alleged links to Zimbabwe's former ruling party, Zanu-PF.

A report was made to the police.

Stanley Gama, Daily News editor, had earlier informed the reporters that Malema had agreed to the interview, but the bouncers became aggressive after introductions had been made in the presence of Zanu-PF officials. Gama said Malema was willing to cooperate but his bouncers intervened and told the reporters to "go to hell".

"He appeared interested in talking to my colleagues. But after that his goons pushed him aside and told our reporters to go to hell." Gama said

MISA-Zimbabwe position

The Zimbabwe Chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA-Zimbabwe) condemns the escalation in cases involving the harassment of journalists conducting their lawful professional duties and more so by visiting foreign dignitaries.

The behaviour by Malema's aides is not only appalling but unfitting of visiting foreign nationals and especially those coming from a country such as South Africa which is otherwise respected for its democratic values and respect for media freedom and freedom of expression.

MISA-Zimbabwe concurs with Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) secretary-general Foster Dongozi's call for Malema to apologise for the violent and disorderly conduct of his aides.

Visit the MISA-Zimbabwe fact sheet

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