(MISA/IFEX) – On 26 October 2008, Makomborero Mutimukulu, a sports reporter with the state-owned weekly “The Sunday Mail”, was assaulted by three bouncers soon after a CBZ Football Association Cup quarter-final match between the Dynamos Football Club and the Gunners Football Club. Mutimukulu said the bouncers accused him of “writing nonsense” as they assaulted him. […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 26 October 2008, Makomborero Mutimukulu, a sports reporter with the state-owned weekly “The Sunday Mail”, was assaulted by three bouncers soon after a CBZ Football Association Cup quarter-final match between the Dynamos Football Club and the Gunners Football Club. Mutimukulu said the bouncers accused him of “writing nonsense” as they assaulted him.
Mutimukulu has professed ignorance as to what they meant when they accused him of writing nonsense and added that he does not know which story could have infuriated the bouncers.
MISA-Zimbabwe expresses its concern over the safety of journalists and the attitude that is displayed towards members of the profession. It is also MISA-Zimbabwe’s considered view that regardless of which media house journalists work for, they deserve to function and operate in an environment that is free from arbitrary detention, assault, torture and intimidation. It is hoped that the perpetrators of this act are brought to justice and the officials of the football clubs that were playing the match, as well as the Zimbabwean Premier Soccer League officials, immediately instruct their supporters and security personnel to respect the right of journalists to report without fear.