Journalist summoned by police as media harassment continues

By Tererai Karimakwenda
23 May, 2007

Continuing the harassment of journalists working in Zimbabwe, the police last week summoned photographer Boldwill Hungwe from The Standard newspaper to turn himself in. But knowing the recent violent treatment of his colleagues by the police Hungwe did not go to Harare Central station. He informed the officer who contacted him that he was consulting with a lawyer.

Hungwe believes he became a target after The Standard published pictures of the injured lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, who had been abducted by police at a protest march and assaulted publicly earlier this month. Mtetwa is also director of the Law Society of Zimbabwe. Hungwe said the call came from an inspector Chinemberi last Thursday. He added: “Knowing the conditions that journalists are working under here I knew I could not afford to go without talking to a lawyer.” The inspector then threatened to send a police officer to collect Hungwe and escort him in. Nothing has happened since.
The conditions Hungwe refered to have seen the harsh treatment, arrests and even murder of journalists in Zimbabwe. Cameraman Edward Chikomba was abducted from his home in Harare last month and his badly beaten body was discovered in the bush days later. In another case, photographer Tsvangirai Mukwazhi was arrested and assaulted in March as he tried to cover a prayer rally that was blocked by the police.
But Hungwe said he would not give up his chosen trade. He explained that he was aware there might be dangers when he pursued journalism, and accepted that this is the nature of the work.
Meanwhile the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on Wednesday called on the Zimbabwean government to end its attacks and harassment of journalists and to stop police harassment of Hungwe.

Gabriel Baglo, Director of the IFJ Africa Office, was quoted saying: “Violent attacks on journalists and other media workers are having a chilling effect in Zimbabwe and sending a message that the government will use force to silence journalists that publish news it wants to keep out of public view.”