Zimbabwean journalist Violet Gonda was according to her detained at State House whilst covering a business meeting which was hosted by the President of Zimbabwe, Emmmerson Mnangagwa, she took to Twitter to narrate her ordeal, you can see het full statement below:
“What unfolded at State House when I was briefly detained by CIOs:
“JournalistsĀ had been called back to cover the closing session of the meeting between ED/Govt and the business community. I was livestreaming, like several other journos. We had been authorized to do so.
“To get into State House grounds we went through 2 security check points and I was cleared at both.
“For my story, I talked to Kuda Tagwirei (implicated in allegations of state capture), Kindness Paradza and RBZ Governor John Mangudya when a CIO operative confronted me. He asked for my accreditation. I was livestreaming the Mangudya interview and did not have it on meā I had also left my ID at the first of the two security check points.
“He marched me into a room at State House, and and ordered me to switch off my phone, which I was using to record my interviews. He grabbed my phone, stopped the broadcast and switched off my phone.
“They ordered me to sit down while 3 of them stood over me and interrogated me.
“After being scolded by the CIO they let me go. Up to now I do not know what this was about or why I was targetted.
“This was the livestream on Twitter. Apologies for the grainy periscope picture quality.
https://twitter.com/violetgonda/status/1056842069862318081ā¦
“I did not violate any security protocols nor behave differently from other journalists at the event.
“That such blatant intimidation can happen at State House during a business forum should concern all Zimbabweans interested in freedom of information and accountable leadership.”
Violet Gonda
