Zanu PF youths detain freelance journalist

ZLHR Press Release – 24 Feb: Some ZANU PF youths on Wednesday 24 February 2010 detained freelance photo-journalist Andrison Manyere for filming a demonstration held in the capital, Harare.

Manyere was seized at the corner of Fourth Street and Jason Moyo Avenue whilst covering the demonstration organized by the ZANU PF youths to protest against the imposition and maintenance of targeted travel sanctions on the party’s leaders.

Manyere was detained at the ZANU PF provincial offices near the Fourth Street bus terminus for about 15 minutes and accused of taking video footage on behalf of some western media organisations. The ZANU PF supporters reprimanded him for not seeking their permission before taking pictures of the demonstration.

Manyere, who was handed over to some Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) officials, who were at the party’s offices by the ZANU PF youths, was forced to delete his film footage, which he had taken earlier on before being released.

Human rights lawyers from ZLHR had already launched an organised search for Manyere before they located him. Manyere’s lawyer Tawanda Zhuwarara of ZLHR is working on filing a complaint of kidnapping to the police.

The ZANU PF youths, who marched from their provincial offices to the party’s national headquarters also picketed outside the compound of the US Embassy.

The youths were addressed at the ZANU PF national headquarters by ZANU PF spokesman Rugare Gumbo, the party’s Secretary for Youth Affairs and his deputy Edison Chakanyuka and Amos Midzi, the Zanu PF chairman for Harare Province.

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