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Zimbabwe journalists spooked by rising violations as polls beckon

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

A leading media freedom lobby group says it is concerned about the safety of Zimbabwean journalists as the country heads to the crucial 2023 elections following a spike in cases of media workers being attacked while doing their work last year.

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The Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Zimbabwe chapter said 37 journalists were attacked while doing their work last year compared to 32 in 2018 when the country held its last major election.

Zimbabwe held by-elections on March 26 last year to fill 28 vacant parliamentary seats and 112 local government positions in polls marred by violence in some areas.

Tabani Moyo, the Misa Zimbabwe director, told VicFallsLive on the sidelines of the United Nations Regional workshop on Freedom of Expression, Access to Information, and the Safety of Journalists for in Africa held in the resort city recently that they were worried about the rising cases of attacks against journalists.

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“In 2018 we recorded 32 cases in the election season and in 2022 we recorded 37 cases, which is a worrying trend because this is a pre-election season,” Moyo said.

“So for us we believe that there is need for a multi-stakeholder approach and that is why as Misa we have gone to all 10 provinces with police high command in what we call the police media action plan to sensitise the police on how the media works and the journalists on how to relate with the police during the electoral season.”

He said the recent reaction by some government officials to the coverage of the Al Jazeera documentary exposing alleged money laundering and gold smuggling by politically exposed people in Zimbabwe showed that threats to media freedom still existed.

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Media organisations recently petitioned Parliament after President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s spokesperson George Charamba threatened journalists with arrests for covering the documentary titled: The Gold Mafia.

Moyo said the interactions with the police were important given the situation in the country.

“This to us is key and you realise that only recently after the release of the  Gold Mafia, journalists were actually threatened by one of the senior civil servants, who speaks on behalf of the president,” Moyo said.

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“Under the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe we wrote to Parliament and petitioned government to put a leash on the part of their senior civil servants so that we are protected when we are doing our work.

“And on that note, we say that journalists should always use a shield of ethical reporting to cover them during elections.”

The Misa Zimbabwe director also urged journalists to be ethical during the election season and avoid being partisan, citing cases of some that have contested internal elections for political parties in previous polls.

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“We also want to warn journalists to avoid this habit of indecision that in one moment they want to participate in primary elections for political parties and when they do not make it they go back to the newsroom,” he said.

“To us it presents an ethical dilemma.”

Information minister Monica Mutsvanga told the same conference that the government will prioritise the safety of journalists during the elections.

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“Once any violations against journalists are reported, the government will investigate such specific issues and prosecution will be supported,” Mutsvanga said.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa said he will announce the date for this year’s elections at the end of next month.

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Police Hunt For A Nkayi Murder Fugitive

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BY STAFF REPORTER 

A Nkayi man is reportedly on the run after allegedly assaulting a fellow villager with an unknown object on the head on New Year’s Day. 

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Police have identified the fugitive at Joinisa Tshuma from Dabe village who is being sought for a murder charge. 

“ZRP is appealing for information which may lead to the arrest of Joinisa Tshuma who is being sought in connection with a case of murder in which Mcebisi Moyo died on 07/01/24,” police appealed. 

“The suspect allegedly assaulted the victim on the head with an unknown object near a bush in Dabe Village, Nkayi on 01/01/24 before he fled the scene.”

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According to police, the victim sustained some head injuries and he was admitted at Nkayi District Hospital where he succumbed to the injuries.

Meanwhile, Police in Machipisa are also  investigating a case of murder which occurred on Wednesday, in which a yet to be identified male adult approximately aged 30 years who was wearing a yellow t-shirt, black trousers, black gum boots and a black cap, was found lying dead with a stab wound on the back near Mapuranga Transport Service Garage in Harare. 

Police are also appealing to the public with information surrounding the incident. 

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“Anyone with information to report at any nearest Police Station.” 

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Full ZRP Statement on Armed Robberies Raiding Elite Schools 

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As the schools open, parents and guardians are in the process of paying school fees, levies and other related school costs, for their children.

School authorities are therefore urged to deposit all monies at financial institutions to curb armed robbery cases.

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The issue of collecting cash by school authorities at schools should be reconsidered given the recent armed robbery cases.

The Police has recorded armed robbery cases in Bulawayo and Chinhoyi in which schools are being targeted.

In one of the cases, unknown suspects pounced at George Silundika High School at corner George Silundika Street and Third Avenue, Bulawayo on 06th January 2024, where they stole US$17 280.00 cash which was in a cash box.

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In another case which occurred at Lomagundi College, Chinhoyi on 09th January 2024, 12 unknown suspects attacked security guards before stealing an undisclosed amount of cash, a Mazda Tribute motor vehicle, cellphones and laptops, among other valuables.

School authorities are urged to step up security measures at schools and employ guards from reputable security service providers who constantly monitor and review deployments.

Above all, school authorities should install CCTV at points of entry and administration offices.

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The Zimbabwe Republic Police is concerned that some of these robbery cases are resulting from leakage of information.

Members of the public are warned that those who provide inside information to robbery syndicates will be arrested.

Police crack teams are firm on the ground and will pounce on armed robbery syndicates for the law to take its course in earnest.

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ARTUZ condemns government for opening of school amid Cholera outbreak

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BY NOKUTHABA DLAMINI 

The Amalgamated Rural Teachers Union of Zimbabwe (ARTUZ) has condemned the government’s decision to reopen schools due to the cholera outbreak wreaking havoc in most parts of the country, labeling the move reckless and disregarding the pressing concerns raised by parents and teachers. 

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Statistics released by the Ministry of Health and Child Care last week showed since the outbreak of cholera, Zimbabwe has recorded 15 137 suspected cholera cases, 1 759 confirmed cases, 14 578 recoveries, 67 confirmed deaths and 266 suspected deaths.

“We vehemently condemn the government’s reckless decision to open schools amidst the widespread cholera outbreak, completely disregarding the pressing concerns raised by parents and teachers,” reads the statement.

“We demand that the government immediately mobilize substantial resources to ensure the safe reopening of schools because our children deserve nothing less than a secure and conducive learning environment. 

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“It is the duty of the government to provide sanitary solutions and ensure the safety and well-being of our children.

The union also called on the government to consider an upward increment of teachers’ salaries, criticizing the government’s lack of engagement with educators, particularly regarding their ongoing demand for a US$1 260 salary.

“Also, it is utterly disappointing to witness such a hasty move without even bothering to engage with the educators who have been tirelessly advocating for a just salary of US$1260.

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“The safety and welfare of our students and teachers should be the utmost priority, but it seems that the government is callously neglecting this responsibility.

“It is high time for the government to prioritize the well-being of our education system and take meaningful action to address the urgent needs of our dedicated teachers. ” 

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