MDC condemns attack on journalists by police

The MDC led by Welshman Ncube has noted with great concern the upsurge in the cases of harassment of journalists by the police.

Party spokesperson Kurauone Chihwayi said the recent assault of NewsDay journalists Obey Manayiti, Sheperd Tozvireva, Abigail Matsikidze and Raphael Phiri by the police while doing their journalistic work is shameful and must not go unpunished.

"This targeted harassment of journalists, in particular, those from independent media is unacceptable. The media plays a very crucial role in our society, more so at this crucial juncture, we are in as a nation. As MDC we believe that freedom of the press is a crucial right that must be preserved and protected by all means necessary," he said.

"We condemn this unwarranted interference of the media by members of the state security forces who are daily deployed by powers that be to employ a wide range of evil tactics to intimidate and harass members of the media in order to silence critical voices and free speech."

He said this unacceptable behaviour by the police must not be allowed to continue and the police officers involved in this latest attack must be brought to book as a matter of urgency.

"MDC stands in solidarity with the journalists who were assaulted and demand that justice prevails in this matter. We call on all journalists to not be deterred and continue pushing the pen until true freedom is realised in our nation," he said.