Cameraperson Manhandled in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) Cameraperson, Vivan Bangamo was attacked and injured on her wrist by  Dynamos Football coach, Jorge Paulo Silva at the club's  training grounds on Thursday, 25 February, 2016.

According to information received from the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) a FAJ affiliate, Vivian was in the company of journalist, Francis Nyamutsamba, on an official assignment when the incident happened.

"It is a disgrace and a serious professional misconduct for coach Jorge Paulo Silva to disregard all form of decency and attack  media personnel more so a female cameraperson who was on an official assignment" said Interim FAJ President, Maria Luisa Carvalho Rogerio.   "Coach Jorge Silva's irate actions were definitely uncalled for and unwarranted in the first place since the journalist and cameraperson pose no form of threat to him and the team.    Silva's actions are totally irresponsible and demonstrate a serious lack of respect to the media in general. Such irrational behaviour is unacceptable and must be condemned where ever it raises its ugly head" she added.

ZUJ Secretary General, Foster Dongozi has condemned Silva's actions in the strongest terms possible and stressed that the Union will approach Dynamos Football Club, PSL and ZIFA, in order to lodge a formal complaint.  "We need an urgent solution on the safety and security of journalists in order to protect them from such unwarranted attacks" he said.

The Federation of African Journalists (FAJ) calls on the Zimbabwe Government to make the safety and security of journalists a top priority.  The Government must create a conducive environment for the media to flourish, while at the same time guaranteeing the safety and security of journalists.