MDC condemns arrests of journalists

The Movement for Democratic Change led by Welshman Ncube on Tuesday said they are "appalled by the continued arrest and harassment of journalists during their course of duty."

MDC National Spokesperson Nhlanhla Dube on Tuesday said: "the latest arrests of Newsday editor Nevanji Madanhire and reporter Moses Matenga, purportedly for highlighting the loss of a child's life in an accident where the police pursued a Kombi Nollywood style through the streets of Harare is a sad attempt at muzzling the media and frighten them from highlighting Police insensitivity."

"It is worth noting that the ZRP has been found on the wrong side of compassionate and reasonable road policing when their spike totting details caused a horrific road accident in Bulawayo recently in yet another case involving a public commuter omnibus," Dube said.

"It is saddening to note that instead of carrying out its constitutional mandate of maintaining the law and order, the police force instead invests its energies on arresting journalists for doing their job. "

Dube also said the MDC "urges the police to pursue peaceful and democratic engagement routes in seeking media consideration rather than risk turning the force into a fascist outfit. It is after all the role of the police to police and the media to be the eye of society. In all they do the police must respect the fact that society needs to have confidence that they do not have anything to hide in serving it. Arresting, detaining and harassing media practitioners for reporting on the work of the police will do little to create public confidence in the force and its critical work in our community."