(MISA/IFEX) – “The Herald” newspaper reports that Manicaland politician Shadreck Beta allegedly threatened the news editor of the “Manica Post”, Herbert Mutugwi, over an article about the recent suspension of his executive powers by Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) Chairman John Nkomo. Beta is said to have taken exception to the use […]
(MISA/IFEX) – “The Herald” newspaper reports that Manicaland politician Shadreck Beta allegedly threatened the news editor of the “Manica Post”, Herbert Mutugwi, over an article about the recent suspension of his executive powers by Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) Chairman John Nkomo.
Beta is said to have taken exception to the use of phrases, “former chairman” and “former party official” in an article written by Mutugwi, and insisted that he was still the provincial chairman and treasurer of the central committee interim body, set up to run the affairs of the party until fresh elections were held, ahead of the ruling party’s congress in December 2000.
Beta reportedly confronted Mutugwi at his office and allegedly said: “You are a newsman, I am an individual. Why can’t we co-exist? Do you want us to shoot each other? Remember this is not your newspaper, it belongs to the government, Zimpapers, and one day you will leave. You are a foreigner. I will put my head on the block. I bet my bottom dollar you will roam the streets⦔
While it is not clear what Beta meant by saying Mutugwi is a foreigner, it is believed that he was referring to the fact that the news editor is from Manicaland.