HARARE – Prominent journalist Itai Dzamara has rubbished a Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC TV) news report which claimed that he was on the run from police after leading a protest during the opening of parliament on Tuesday.
Dzamara who is the editor of The News Leader newspaper used the occasion to stage a protest against the worsening economic and political crisis in the country and demand that President Mugabe admit failure and step down.
“It has come to my knowledge that ZBC TV has claimed that l am on the run. If that is not blatant madness by the supposed public broadcaster, then it is sinister deliberate misinformation of the nation,” Dzamara said.
“As outlined in our statement, we were released by police after about 5 hours since we were arrested in the afternoon. Police did not charge us with anything because we did not commit any crime.
“Therefore, for whoever at ZBC TV to hallucinate about us being on the run, calls for their heads to be thoroughly examined, as a matter of urgency.
“If the poor reporter had any dignity, they would have reported about the serious assault of Tichaona Danho, Dirk Frey and myself by Zanu PF mobs, in full glare of cameras and the police.
“The mob pounced on us when we were displaying our banner and placards with messages of demanding for the response from Mugabe, as well as that he must step down.
“During the chaotic assault of the three of us by the Zanu PF mob, several police officers intervened and arrested the three of us. It is of great concern that the police officers openly saw us being assaulted and identified the assailants, but instead opted to arrest the three of us whilst leaving the attackers to even continue assaulting us when we were handcuffed.
“After the arrest, police took us to Harare Central Police Station, where four hours were spent on recording personal details and profiles of the three of us. At the end, police did not charge us with anything and we were released,” Dzamara added.
Dzamara has continued leading the “Occupy Africa Unity Square” protest in the capital Harare.
He was arrested two weeks ago (Friday 17 October) after he called on Mugabe to step down in a petition that was delivered to the presidential Munhumutapa Offices. Africa Unity Square is a few blocks away from Mugabe’s offices.
On Tuesday a defiant Dzamara said, “regardless of all the dangers and risks, we are convinced that a new Zimbabwe is possible and attainable. We shall continue playing our part through civil, peaceful and resolute means. We will be back at Africa Unity Square tomorrow.”
