Zimpapers Logo

Jacquline Gwemende

Munyaradzi Musiiwa Midlands Correspondent
Three journalists from ZBCTV and NewsDay were yesterday assaulted by Christ Apostolic Church leader Right Reverend Isaac Tititi Moyo and his church followers after they approached him for a comment over allegations of terrorising Sherwood villagers in Kwekwe.

The incident occurred at around 3pm when Blessed Mhlanga of NewsDay, ZBCTV Midlands Bureau Chief Jacqueline Gwemende and camera person Dzikamai Mandizvidza were assaulted by Rev Moyo at his Border Town Complex in Kwekwe.

They had sought to interview him over allegations of attacking villagers’ livestock with axes and machetes and sometimes killing them for straying on his farm.

The journalists, who were in the company of this reporter, went to Border Town Complex in Kwekwe’s central business district and asked to see Rev Moyo who then asked them to leave his complex after declining to comment on the matter.

“What do you want? I do not talk to ZBC or newspapers. I speak to God,” he said before asking the journalists to leave.

All hell broke loose when Mandizvidza started filming the complex and Rev Moyo.

Rev Moyo stormed out of a restaurant at the complex and charged towards Mandizvidza before nearly 20 of his followers started assaulting him and trying to snatch his camera.

The followers then turned on Gwemende and Mhlanga, who started taking pictures while Mandizvidza was being manhandled.

Mhlanga was dragged by his belt, while some of Rev Moyo’s followers pushed him and attempted to seize his iPad. Gwemende was also pushed off by bouncers who were with Rev Moyo when she tried to restrain them.

Rev Moyo threatened the reporters with unspecified action.

The matter was reported to the police and a docket was opened against Rev Moyo and his followers at Kwekwe Central Police Station.