News / National
ZUJ condemns Prophet Magaya attack on journalists
15 Aug 2014 at 13:51hrs | Views
The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists, ZUJ, has condemned the attack on journalists and media organisations by Walter Magaya, the head of a religious outfit known as the Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries Church.
Chronicle Chief photographer Elias Saushoma was harassed and detained by Magaya's bouncers while taking pictures at a meeting held in Bulawayo yesterday.
Magaya used hate speech while making reference to journalists, calling them agents of the devil who believe in Satanism than in God.
ZUJ Secretary General Foster Dongozi said the Union was deeply concerned by the abusive tone taken by Magaya and the violence exhibited by his surrogates which could result in further attacks on journalists. He said the Union was consulting on the way forward following the attack on Saushoma.
"Journalists and media practitioners should be allowed to practice without being threatened by anybody, including violent and intolerant sects or mafia groupings claiming to be religious organisations.
"Violence and intolerance is usually associated with gangsters, hoodlums and renegades and we hope this is the last that Magaya and his bouncers are associated with intolerance against journalists. This has the effect of negatively affecting the image of the country at a time when a lot is being done to rebuild Zimbabwe."
Dongozi said ZUJ was waiting for a public apology from Magaya.
On the allegations of adultery, the Union advised Magaya that journalists were merely messengers of information and were not the ones making the allegations against him.
Chronicle Chief photographer Elias Saushoma was harassed and detained by Magaya's bouncers while taking pictures at a meeting held in Bulawayo yesterday.
Magaya used hate speech while making reference to journalists, calling them agents of the devil who believe in Satanism than in God.
ZUJ Secretary General Foster Dongozi said the Union was deeply concerned by the abusive tone taken by Magaya and the violence exhibited by his surrogates which could result in further attacks on journalists. He said the Union was consulting on the way forward following the attack on Saushoma.
"Journalists and media practitioners should be allowed to practice without being threatened by anybody, including violent and intolerant sects or mafia groupings claiming to be religious organisations.
"Violence and intolerance is usually associated with gangsters, hoodlums and renegades and we hope this is the last that Magaya and his bouncers are associated with intolerance against journalists. This has the effect of negatively affecting the image of the country at a time when a lot is being done to rebuild Zimbabwe."
Dongozi said ZUJ was waiting for a public apology from Magaya.
On the allegations of adultery, the Union advised Magaya that journalists were merely messengers of information and were not the ones making the allegations against him.
Source - Byo24News
