Freelance reporter Jemwa briefly held by suspected security agents

The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists has announced that unidentified people dressed in civilian clothes briefly held Freelance Journalist, James Jemwa on Monday afternoon while he was filming outside a bank where queues had formed.

ZUJ Secretary General Foster Dongozi said effective measures were needed to  discourage security forces from arresting journalists while doing their work.

"The latest epidemic of arrests of journalists while doing their work is totally unacceptable. Over the weekend we witnessed absolute carnage when five freelance journalists were arrested while covering demonstrations at a local hotel while the previous week had seen other journalists being arrested."

"We call on the police and other security arms to consult the Constitution of the country which protects journalists from the disproportionate use of power that has been unleashed on the Fourth Estate," said Dongozi