Harare investigates police who threw teargas at journalists

Harare City Council says it condemns any form of harassment on journalists and has instituted investigations into allegations that some of its municipal police officers may have in their individual capacities overreacted towards journalists on Thursday.

In a statement on Friday Harare Mayor Herbert Gomba said the media are a critical pillar in the city's service delivery drive and in attaining the world city status vision by 2025.

"Journalists should be respected and never should they be violated during the course of their work. Even before investigations are complete, we apologise for any inconveniences that might have been caused on the journalists. We believe we have a professional municipal police force that respects human rights including press freedom, "he said.

Mayor Gomba promised to convene a meeting soon with journalists with a view of averting future cases of abuse.

On Thursday members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police working with Council police threw teargas at the office a local media house 263 Chat and closed the door forcing journalists to flee through the window.

The incident happened after the journalists were caught filming the police chasing vendors in the Harare CBD.