Freelance journalist Panashe Makufa was beaten up by members of the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP), on Saturday around 1700hrs in the Harare suburb of Kuwadzana while undertaking his professional duties.

Makufa briefed MISA Zimbabwe that he was taking pictures of a police operation wherein they were dispersing people in Kuwadzana as part of their enforcement of the national lockdown.

It has come to our attention that when the police approached him, Makufa produced his accreditation card and it was disregarded as having expired. The four police officers also instructed Makufa to get into their police vehicle where he was assaulted by two officers and forced to delete pictures before being dropped off at Kuwadzana 2 shops.

The MISA Zimbabwe lawyer is assisting Makufa on legal steps to take in response to the assault and loss of the entire day’s worth of footage. MISA Zimbabwe is also assisting the freelance journalist with access to medical attention.