Chamisa`s thugs assault journalist in Masvingo
John Stalin Zawe
The violent nature of opposition party Citizens Coalition for Change reared its ugly head yesterday as thugs assigned security roles by the party attacked a journalist.
TellZimbabwe writer Courage Dutiro was assaulted b renegade CCC members during Chamisa`s rally in Rujeko, Masvingo.
The assault is said to have taken place after Dutiro tried to investigate the cause of commotion during the rally, that ensued after a CCC member collapsed.
This did not sit well with CCC thugs, who manhandled Dutiro before striking him with open palms.
Tell Zimbabwe News, a weekly publication in Masvingo reported the incident yesterday on their social media platforms.
“Our reporter @TanyahCourage was assaulted by alleged CCC security for taking pictures at the Rujeko grounds rally.
He says he had taken a photo of a collapsed Thokozile Muchuchuti when he was approached and slapped in the face by the security, who further threatened him.
He has since gone to report the assault at Rujeko police base,” the newspaper said.
Local Human Rights Organisation, ZimRights condemned the attack.
“This is regrettable. @TellZimbabwe is the leading citizen voice in Masvingo. Media freedom is a fundamental human right.
This matter must be investigated and the perpetrators must be brought to justice,” the usually pro-opposition organisation said in a tweet.
Tateguru TV called TellZim Editor and Media Institute of Southern Africa Chairperson for Masvingo Passmore Kuzipa, who said Dutiro is fine at the moment and that they are waiting on court date to be announced.
Kuzipa also confirmed that the one who assaulted Dutiro was part of Chamisa’s security and goes by the nickname -Gaga.
Thokozile Muchuchuti, who collapsed is one of the double fielded candidates running for councilor in Ward 4 competing with Chamisa loyalist Aleck Tabe under the same CCC ticket.
Chamisa confessed his failure to address the double candidature fielding in Ward 4.
Causes for Muchuchuti’s collapse are still not clear.
Media practitioners in Masvingo have expressed disappointment in the self-proclaimed democratic party which has become a fascist cult, which hinders the fourth estate from carrying out their duty.
“To them responsible media should only expose Government and Zanu PF and Mwonzora. CCC should be seen as a godsent infallible political party and when the media is covering it should hear,see and speak no evil.
Any attempt to be objective when reporting about CCC will be branded as delaying the “citizens’ victory” and negating the so called people’s struggle,” lamented one Masvingo veteran journalist.
The attack on Dutiro is not the first time CCC has shown hostility towards media. At a recent press conference Chamisa cast aspersions towards state media, saying he was on the verge of barring them from covering his events.
At the same rally CCC interim national chairperson Thabitha Khumalo casually made a tribal slur and Chamisa giggled.
The Ndebele speaker on greeting the Masvingo members referred them as,
“Vezhira veZhowezhowe, Vanom*m*ra mbuya (sic)”.
To which she excused herself saying Shona is difficult for her.
This did not fly over the audience and the clip of her making this tribalist slur is being connected to the old ‘Mashona Masvina’ insult by Ndebele speaking people of Matebeleland.
Recent Comments