By Own Correspondent| Philemon Jambaya, a Harare based freelance journalist was on Monday arrested and detained for taking video footage of the ZRP encounter with forex dealers and vendors.

Jambaya, who was arrested at corner Jason Moyo and Cameroon street was taken to Harare Central police station where he alleged that he was tortured and charged with obstructing the course of justice by taking pictures and video footage of the ZRP as they carried their operation.

Jambaya alleged that he sustained injuries from the ordeal and had to be treated at Parirenyatwa group of hospitals after his release around 10pm following the intervention of Chris Mhike from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights.

Said Young Journalists Association Communications officer Leopold Munhende:

“The Young Journalists Association (YOJA) condemns ZRP’s abuse of power, disregard for basic human rights and media freedom after it arrested the association secretary general Philemon Jambaya for unsubstantiated claims of obstruction of justice.

The ZRP alleges that Jambaya who is also with #TheFeedZW obstructed police duties by taking videos of their activities in town.

Jambaya’s phone was off at the time and they were clearly targeting him for being part of the fourth estate.

Journalists have a duty to keep the other arms of the state in check and even if Jambaya had taken videos it was within his rights and duty of informing the public.

We urge police commissioner Matanga to reign in some of his overzealous junior officers before they kill one of us.

Jambaya was tortured and had to be attended to at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals for injuries sustained.

We thank the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) for legal services rendered.

Journalism is not a crime, do not treat us like criminals.”