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journalists by officials and supporters of the MDC-T and Zanu-PF.
The union says it is also concerned with the safety of journalists.
This comes after some journalists from the private and public media and a freelance journalist were attacked by officials and supporters of the MDC-T and Zanu-PF.
In a statement ZUJ, secretary general Foster Dongozi said the union was deeply concerned with the attacks on the journalists.
“The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists, would like to express its shock and alarm following the increase in politically motivated attacks against journalists by officials and supporters of the main political parties, Zanu-PF and the MDC in the coalition Government,” Dongozi said.
He said the union was deeply concerned that the spokesperson of the MDC-T led by Prime Minister Tsvangirai, Nelson Chamisa, also a Government minister verbally abused freelance journalist, Nkosana Dlamini at a Press conference held at the party’s headquarters recently.
“Chamisa accused Comrade Dlamini of bringing Zanu-PF propaganda to Harvest House after he had asked Prime Minister Tsvangirai a question. Cde Dlamini has indicated in his letter of complaint that the act amounted to harassment.
“The union is concerned about the safety of our members when senior party officials appear to incite their supporters against journalists,” he said.
Dongozi said another journalist with the Daily News – Xolisani Ncube was assaulted outside the MDC offices and had his camera stolen by the party’s supporters while on assignment.
“As a union we strongly condemn the attacks against journalists and demand that the MDC-T leadership should guarantee the safety of journalists at the press conferences and their forth coming congress,” he said.
ZUJ also condemned the attack of freelance journalist Priviledge Musvanhiri, and theft of his equipment by Zanu-PF supporters.
Musvanhiri was punched and had his recorder stolen by Zanu-PF supporters while another journalist Clarkson Mambo of New Ziana was man handled by Zanu-PF supporters in Harare.
“We call on the Zanu-PF leadership to warn its supporters to desist from attacking journalists. Equally, we demand that Zanu-PF should guarantee the safety and protection of journalists while on assignment at their functions or anywhere else,” Dongozi said.
He said as the country was approaching the referendum and elections, journalists would become more vulnerable to attacks by politicians and party supporters. “We call on the two main political parties to declare zero tolerance against attacks on journalists or any Zimbabwean citizen,” he said.