Kuzipa was allegedly assaulted by Gabriel Mupasiri, a car dealer on 24 May 2012.
Mupasiri allegedly stormed into the Masvingo Mirror newsroom and said he wanted to see the author of a satirical column, Hot on the Heels, which carried a story titled – Rhodene man locks up wife, published in the weekly edition of 24-31 May 2012.
The column however did not name Mupasiri, but the car dealer insisted he was the person referred to in the story. After failing to identify the author of the column Mupasiri allegedly assaulted Kuzipa with clenched fists.
In another case of concern members of the Zimbabwe Ex-Political Prisoners, Detainees and Restrictees’ Association (Zeppdra) on 27 May 2012 threatened to attack vendors selling privately owned newspapers. The ex-political prisoners alleged that the private publications were not giving positive coverage to President Robert Mugabe.
VMCZ condemns in the strongest terms the attack on Kuzipa and threats on the newspaper vendors. VMCZ urges members of the public, who have a problem with any media story as is published by print or broadcast media in the country, to desist from taking the law into their own hands but should approach the VMCZ Media Complaints Committee, set up by journalists, to seek redress.
VMCZ also calls on organisations and political parties in the country to warn their supporters to refrain from attacking newspaper vendors and destroying newspapers as this infringes on freedom of expression and denies Zimbabweans an opportunity to have multiple sources of information.
Article 19 of the GPA recognises the importance of the right to freedom of expression and the role played by a free media in a multi-party democracy. It is therefore important that newspaper vendors and media publishing houses be allowed to continue their professional duties without any hindrance.
Freedom of expression and the right to report and publish freely is enshrined in the country’s constitution and we challenge the Government of National Unity to ensure that the right is protected.
We also call upon the police to investigate the attack on Kuzipa and bring to book the perpetrator of this violence while protecting every citizen’s right to information and freedom of expression.
Post published in: News
dear sir/madam
I am grateful for the article in which the people of Mapingure, Mhazha, Mataruse, Nezvigaro, Mharadze and the rest of the Sipambis for waking up now after such a long time of silence when their right to chieftainship is enjoyed by one house.
Your story on 7-10 March 2014 on this made good reading to me, especially considering that Fortune’s father was standing in for his father who had died, and Fortune was also standing in again for his father and later fraudulently got installed permanently. Please, guys, this is not a family affair, every deserving house must have its turn to chieftainship. I therefore urge you guys never to stop the fight until the right person lands on the ushe ubwu.
Rememeber, Fortune was born in Zambia, Branton Mumba, only came take over the position pending the appointment of the substantive chief, but alas, look he is now the president of the Zimbabwe council of chiefs. Day light robbery.
There is a saying which goes, ‘TIME SHALL UNFOLD WHAT PLIGHTED CUNNING HIDES’. People of Bere and Nemamwa wake up from your slumber and claim what is rightfully yours, esp Vamamwa, you are too quite yet you gave us this land we now call ours. Rise up and take the fight to this man’s door step. Va Muchemwa hamuna kutiitira zvakanaka by perpetuating this familly by remaining chiefs for all these years, you or another house were supposed to take over when Zephania died. Anywhere I am sure you must be turning in your grave.
ALUTA CONTINUA