Muperi from The Daily News and Masvingise from the Newsday were detained by the party's security personnel because they were purportedly 'championing the regime change agenda'.
The journalists were covering a demonstration by the party’s membership from as far as Zvimba, Mutoko and Goromonzi among other areas who were protesting against the imposition of candidates ahead of the party’s primary elections slated for June 24.
Last week, Herbert Moyo, a journalist from The Independent, was attacked while covering a demonstration by MDC- T supporters from Sunningdale in Harare at the party's headquarters. In Bulawayo, Chronicle senior reporter, Mashudu Nechianda was reportedly attacked by Prime minister Morgan Tsvangirai's aides and had his notebook confiscated and recordings on his mobile phone deleted while covering a business community meeting.
Narrating her ordeal to The Zimbabwean, one of the detained reporters said, all the reporters covering the event were detained but those from the state media were released first.
She said: “Initially, we were all detained but the other three were released after it was established that they are from the state media."
She said they were interrogated and told that the independent media was championing the regime change agenda and they (reporters) deserved to be taught a lesson so that they stop being traitors.
“As we were about to be whisked away for disciplinary action, the minister of Publicity and Information, Webster Shamu arrived. One of us asked to use the bathroom and sought the intervention of the minister who then came to our rescue and that is when we were released,” said one of the reporters.
Efforts to get a comment from Zanu (PF) spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo were futile as his mobile was continuously engaged while Information minister, Webster Shamu's mobile was not reachable.
Zimbabwe Union of Journalist, Secretary General, Foster Dongozi called on all the political parties’ leadership to publicly denounce violence against journalists ahead of elections.
He said: “We condemn that act in the strongest terms. Things are going to get worse as we head towards elections.
“We urge political party leaders to publicly declare zero tolerance on violence against media houses and journalists,” said Dongozi.
Last week, suspected Zanu (PF) supporters confiscated and tore 40 copies of the Newsday in Mbare.
The supporters were reportedly riled by an article in the paper on the formation of a grand coalition to unseat President Robert Mugabe.
Post published in: News