Zimbabwe: President of Journalists' Union Brutally Assaulted; Freelance Journalist Abducted, Whereab

[Omaha Steve]

http://allafrica.com/stories/200804190122.html

International Freedom of Expression Exchange Clearing House (Toronto)

PRESS RELEASE
18 April 2008
Posted to the web 19 April 2008

Brussels

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today called on the government of Zimbabwe to end harassment of media after an attack on Matthew Takaona, President of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ), and called for an investigation into the abduction of Stanley Karombo, a freelance journalist.

"We are very worried about the worsening conditions journalists face in Zimbabwe," said Gabriel Baglo, Director of the IFJ Africa office. "We condemn the attack on Matthew and call on the government to conduct investigations into this attack and the reported abduction of Stanley."

In recent weeks the government of President Robert Mugabe has cracked down on journalists in the country in the midst of political unrest. At least five foreign media workers and two Zimbabwean journalists have been arrested for their coverage of tensions in the country after the opposition reportedly won presidential and parliamentary elections held on March 29.

On Thursday night Takaona was brutally assaulted by individuals wearing national army uniforms. His attackers also robbed him of a substantial sum of money.

Karombo has reportedly been abducted by unknown persons and his whereabouts are unknown.

Another journalist, Frank Chikowore, was arrested on April 15. According to news reports, his lawyers filed an urgent application in the High Court Thursday to have him taken to hospital. Chikowore, a freelancer, was arrested on arson charges during an opposition strike. The IFJ believes the charges against him are without merit and has called for his release.

FULL story at link.