MDC condemns the intimidation of journalists

The MDC has condemned the continued assault on the media in an endeavour to suppress the freedom of the press by the state apparatus.

MDC spokesperson Kurauone Chiwayi in a statement said the recent arrest of state media journalists Mabasa Sasa, Brian Chitemba and Tinashe Farawo for exposing the police's involvement in the poaching of wildlife at the Hwange National Park by high ranking police officers are shameful acts of cowardice and a blatant violation of the national constitution as well as International human rights charters which Zimbabwe is a signatory to.

"These reports come on the heels of chilling threats to journalists  by President Mugabe,His wife Grace and Permanent Secretary for Media, Information and publicity George Charamba for exposing ugly factional fights within Zanu pf and we are therefore persuaded that the order for the degrading violent arrests came from the higher echelons of Zanu PF," he said.

"The arrests are designed to intimidate the journalists and cover up for these serious crimes which we know will suck in senior Zanu pf officials who have been involved in criminal activities and plundering proceeds from the country's wildlife for years while getting state protection."

He said Justice must take its course and we call for the full and thorough investigation of the police's involvement in the poaching of wildlife at Hwange National Park.

"The culture of intimidating journalists each time they expose corruption within the regime must be stopped forthwith," Chiwayi said.

"The MDC believes the honour of the journalism profession is seriously under threat in the country when it should be preserved."