Poorly paid Blessed Mhlanga
HARARE, Zimbabwe – Poor wages, a devalued currency, and intimidation are haunting journalists in the southern African country of Zimbabwe.
With over a decade of experience as a freelance journalist under his belt, Thomas Madhuku, 35, has faced imprisonment and harassment from law enforcement agencies, and has faced numerous attacks while performing his duties.
Just last year, he was attacked at a press conference organized by student leaders over the abduction of Tawanda Muchehiwa, a Midlands State University journalism student.
“We were covering a press conference by ZINASU [Zimbabwe National Students Union] leaders who were demanding answers on the abduction of Muchehiwa. My phone was taken away by some militia with the assistance of the police,” he told Anadolu Agency.