(MISA/IFEX) – On 7 August 2004, Kagiso Mmui, an entertainment reporter with the weekly newspaper “The Voice”, was assaulted in the capital, Gaborone, by Lloyd Mwape, a founding member of a musical band named Wizards of the Deserts. Mmui was allegedly assaulted for writing negatively about the band. Mmui told MISA-Botswana that he was covering […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 7 August 2004, Kagiso Mmui, an entertainment reporter with the weekly newspaper “The Voice”, was assaulted in the capital, Gaborone, by Lloyd Mwape, a founding member of a musical band named Wizards of the Deserts. Mmui was allegedly assaulted for writing negatively about the band.
Mmui told MISA-Botswana that he was covering a function at a Gaborone nightclub when he was informed that a friend was looking for him outside the club. The reporter apparently left the nightclub and found Mwape waiting for him. The musician immediately attacked Mmui in the company of his fellow band members, punching the reporter until he fell to the ground. Mwape’s friends allegedly encouraged him to beat the journalist.
On 6 August, Mmui’s co-columnist had commented in an entertainment column about the inability of many musical bands, including Wizards of the Deserts, to attract crowds to their performances. This apparently angered Mwape so much that he resorted to physical violence, Mmui explained. The reporter told MISA-Botswana that he was helpless and did not retaliate until people at the club came to his rescue. He explained how he has since undergone a series of operations and uses crutches to walk because of his medical condition, which has to do with poor blood circulation.
Mmui has filed a report with the central police station and is awaiting a medical report from his doctor.
When a private radio station interviewed Mwape about the incident on 9 August, the musician reportedly boasted to listeners that he “taught the reporter a lesson” by beating him up.
MISA-Botswana National Director Modise Maphanyane says he is aware of a growing tendency to assault journalist as “revenge” for stories that individuals are unhappy with. He said this is unacceptable in a vibrant democracy. “What is even more annoying is when [the] wrong journalists are at the receiving end. We would like the full force of justice to be applied if these incidents are to be nipped in the bud.”
“MISA wants to say that assaulting journalists on duty is a serious crime, which has a chilling effect on media workers and should be condemned by peace-loving citizens with the ferocity it deserves. Courts and the police must play their part to stop this cancer,” Maphanyane added.
