World condemns torching of newspapers

LONDON
Messages of support and solidarity have flooded in from all over the world following the torching of the South African-registered 14-ton truck delivering 60,000 copies of the Africa Day issue of The Zimbabwean on Sunday by suspected government agents.
South African driver, Christmas Ramabulana, and his Zimbabwean assistant Tapfumaneyi Kancheta, who were both savagely beaten by eight men in plain clothes brandishing brand new AK-47 assault rifles, are thankfully recovering well. Although traumatised by the attack, both men have received medical attention and are recuperating at home.
The International Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters Without Borders and numerous others expressed horror at the barbaric act.
Earnest Mudzengi, director of the National Constitutional Assembly, said: Surely this is a barbaric act that must be condemned in the strongest of terms by all who are still in their right frame of mind. This deplorable incident confirms how Zimbabwe has been driven back to the medieval era by a regime that thrives on fostering ignorance.  Keep up the good work. Do not be deterred by these barbaric forces of autocracy.
The Media Institute for Southern Africa said: MISA-Zimbabwe condemns in the strongest terms possible this unwarranted onslaught on the citizens’ right to access alternative information and ideas through independent publications such as The Zimbabwean on Sunday.
MISA said the act was a serious breach of the 1991 Windhoek Declaration which stressed that the establishment and maintenance of an independent, pluralist and free press was essential to the development and maintenance of democracy.
The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists said it was appalled by the act and called on authorities to investigate the matter and bring the culprits to book.
South African truckers have expressed fears about the safety of their vehicles and drivers following the attack.