News / National
Cop threatens journalist in court
09 Dec 2015 at 05:35hrs | Views
Herald court correspondent Fungai Jachi was yesterday threatened by a police officer for covering her case of assaulting a community service officer at the Mbare Magistrates' Courts.
She reported the case to the police.
The police officer, Babra Chipatiso (28), who is stationed at Avondale Police Station, had the guts to tell the magistrate, Mr Stanford Mambanje, that she would deal with the journalist personally.
This was after she had inquired from Mr Mambanje if taking notes during a court session was allowed.
"This is a public place and journalists are allowed to write and follow cases they are interested in," said Mr Mambanje.
"No one can stop them."
But Chipatiso told Mr Mambanje that he had failed to deal with the matter and that she would deal with the journalist "personally".
"I wanted to know if I could take the matter in my own hands and deal with her personally because I am tired of (having stories about me) appearing in the newspaper," she said.
After the court proceedings, Chipatiso confronted the journalist and threatened to assault her.
"I already have an assault case being heard here and I do not mind coming back to court with a further charge of assault," she bragged.
"Go and report to the police that I threatened you. I am not afraid of coming back to this court. I am a hard nut to crack and I do not get scared easily."
Jachi filed the report to the police at Harare Central Police Station under case number IR120489.
In the matter before the courts, Chipatiso is accused of assaulting a community service officer, Shingirai Matavire, who had restrained her from insulting a community service supervisor.
Zimbabwe Union of Journalists president Michael Chideme said Chipatiso's actions were a threat to Press freedom, considering that as a member of the police force she was expected to be conversant with the law.
"We condemn any threats that compromise the safety of journalists, especially when it comes from people who are supposed to protect the working conditions of the journalists," he said.
"We call upon police to investigate and institute appropriate action against the police officer."
She reported the case to the police.
The police officer, Babra Chipatiso (28), who is stationed at Avondale Police Station, had the guts to tell the magistrate, Mr Stanford Mambanje, that she would deal with the journalist personally.
This was after she had inquired from Mr Mambanje if taking notes during a court session was allowed.
"This is a public place and journalists are allowed to write and follow cases they are interested in," said Mr Mambanje.
"No one can stop them."
But Chipatiso told Mr Mambanje that he had failed to deal with the matter and that she would deal with the journalist "personally".
"I wanted to know if I could take the matter in my own hands and deal with her personally because I am tired of (having stories about me) appearing in the newspaper," she said.
"I already have an assault case being heard here and I do not mind coming back to court with a further charge of assault," she bragged.
"Go and report to the police that I threatened you. I am not afraid of coming back to this court. I am a hard nut to crack and I do not get scared easily."
Jachi filed the report to the police at Harare Central Police Station under case number IR120489.
In the matter before the courts, Chipatiso is accused of assaulting a community service officer, Shingirai Matavire, who had restrained her from insulting a community service supervisor.
Zimbabwe Union of Journalists president Michael Chideme said Chipatiso's actions were a threat to Press freedom, considering that as a member of the police force she was expected to be conversant with the law.
"We condemn any threats that compromise the safety of journalists, especially when it comes from people who are supposed to protect the working conditions of the journalists," he said.
"We call upon police to investigate and institute appropriate action against the police officer."
Source - the herald
