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Senior Reporter
Harare South legislator Cde Shadreck Mashayamombe (Zanu-PF) yesterday allegedly harassed The People’s Voice senior reporter Professor Tshuma over stories the paper published implicating him in a land grab scandal in his constituency.Cde Mashayamombe allegedly threatened both Tshuma and the paper’s acting editor, Kudakwashe Mugari, with unspecified action.

Tshuma said this happened at the burial of Defence Minister Dr Sydney Sekeramayi’s son, Shungu, at Warren Hills Cemetery yesterday.
Tshuma made a police report.

“He threatened me with unspecified action for unearthing massive corrupt activities in his constituency that include, but not limited to, collecting cash from struggling residents for flea markets at Boka Auction Floors,” said Tshuma.

“So, today he came saying, ‘Vapfanha nyaya dzenyu naMugari dzekunyora mastory ekunyepa tichapedzerana. Ndakanzwa kuti murikundirwisa plus kuti murikuda kundiuraya. Manje mukasanditangira ndichakutangirai’.”

Mugari said Cde Mashayamombe’s threats would not deter them from performing their duties.

“Zanu-PF is against all forms of corruption from its members, so let it be known that it is the duty of this publication as the mouthpiece of the party to unearth those illegal dealings,” said Mugari.

Zimbabwe Union of Journalists secretary-general Foster Dongozi condemned the alleged harassment and threats.

Cde Mashayamombe denied the allegations, saying he only inquired why the paper was tarnishing his image by writing “falsehoods”.

“I told him that they should also give us an opportunity to give our side of the story when they write about us,” he said.
“I will never threaten journalists because they are our friends. I know there are people who have an agenda against me who are sending these people at The People’s Voice to fight me.

“I may have spoken to him while I was angry, so he may have thought that I threatened him.”