As MISA Zimbabwe Chinhoyi Chapter, we strongly condemn the arrest by Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) officers of a fellow journalist Nunurai Jena with Newsday and Voice of America for practising his duties with 2019 press card.

Jena is currently being held at Chinhoyi Central Police Station, Traffic Department section after he was arrested at a police roadblock for operating using a 2019 accreditation press card.

The arrest comes barely four days after Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services instructed the ZRP to accept the 2019 accreditation cards.

Journalists have continued operating without enough Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs) as they seek to inform the nation on the deadly COVID-19 virus and therefore, request high levels of respect and honour.

The act by the police not only in Chinhoyi but Mutare and Gweru is a great cause of concern.

We therefore ask for coordination within the police force so that we work together in the fight against COVID-19 currently ravaging the world.

Conrad Mupesa
MISA Zimbabwe Chinhoyi Chapter Chairperson.