Secretary-general of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ), Foster Dongozi said the union strongly condemned the violence and called upon the government to ensure the safety of media workers.
“We call upon the inclusive government and the parties to rein in on their wayward supporters and advise them not to abuse and harass journalists,” he said.
Dongozi said they had tried to engage the principals in the inclusive government and the harassment of journalists yesterday was a sign that either they were not listening or they were not taking advice.
He said the Federation of African Journalists had engaged with heads of state across the continent and both President Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai had agreed that journalists should not be abused.
The Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) also condemned the attacks, calling on parliament to investigate and deal with Zanu PF youths.
“ZLHR unreservedly condemns the conduct of the rowdy mob, the disruptions of the public hearing not only in Harare, but also in Chinhoyi and Mutare, and the assaults on a legislator and journalists.
“These disruptions, which constitute contempt of parliament in terms of the law, are criminal offences,” the lawyers said in a statement.
