Wednesday 17 November 2010

NUJ condemns arrest of editor in Zimbabwe


The NUJ has condemned the arrest of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists president Dumisani Sibanda, who was detained after writing an article about the police force.

NUJ deputy general secretary Michelle Stanistreet said: "The NUJ has worked closely with Dumisani Sibanda and we demand his immediate release. We are seeing an increase in arrests and harassment of journalists and we fear the situation will get worse in the run up to the elections in 2011.

“Journalists in Zimbabwe have repeatedly been harassed, intimidated, beaten and jailed – simply for doing their job and keeping the public properly informed. Journalists should be able to work without fear of detention and arrest. We will do all we can to help our brave colleagues in the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists to stand up to this fresh wave of attacks.”

The NUJ says the arrest of Sibanda follows the arrest and harassment of other journalists, Nkosana Dlamini and Andreson Manyere in Harare and Sydney Saize who was beaten up, robbed and injured in Mutare.

No comments: