SYDNEY MUBAIWA
MASVINGO CITY- A man is battling for his life at Masvingo Provincial Hospital after he was mauled by police dogs during an operation against private pirate taxis (mushikashika) on Friday evening.
The Midweek Watch could not get the name of the man who is at the referral hospital under heavy police guard.
This crew saw the man struggling to walk in one of the wards with swollen testicles which were bitten by police dogs during the operation.
When contacted for a comment Masvingo Provincial police spokesperson, Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the matter but said he was not in the office for full details and promised to do so on Sunday morning.
Sources said the man had just stopped by to witness the battle that was going on between the police and mushikashika driver who had thrown himself under his car to stop the police from impounding it.
In a bid to arrest the driver identified as Dhorobha police allegedly unleashed their dogs resulting in the man being mauled on his private parts.
According to witnesses a Thunderun towing truck that had been contracted by the police was damaged by angry mob and the cops also ran away for dear life, leaving Dhorobha to drive away his car.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) has condemned the arrest and assault of Masvingo Mirror chief photographer Nyasha Mariga by members of the police.
In a statement released on Friday, ZUJ said the incident was a threat to media freedom.
“The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) expresses the deepest concern and strongest condemnation over the assault and arrest of Masvingo Mirror Chief Photographer Nyasha Mariga by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP).
“Mariga was carrying out his duties when he got violently attacked, had his equipment confiscated and was unlawfully detained while covering a public incident in Masvingo. Such conduct by police officers represents a grave violation of press freedom and the constitutional rights of journalists,” reads part of the statement.
The Union called on the police to take steps in educating its members on the critical role played by the media in informing the country.
“We further call on the ZRP to take immediate steps to educate its members on the role of the media in a democratic society and adhere to the organisation’s commitment in guaranteeing safety and dignity to all journalists while performing their duties,” further reads the statement.
