By Bindura Bureau
Police have cautioned journalists to desist from the practice of using their Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) accreditation cards as driver’s licenses when stopped at roadblocks along all the country’s roads.
Addressing members of the media fraternity during a Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) and MISA Zimbabwe-Mashonaland Central Journalists engagement meeting recently, national police spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi called for an end to this general tendency.
The meeting was meant to cement relations between the police and the media as we head toward the 2023 harmonised elections.
“Some are being caught without driver’s licenses and end up using their press cards. Driving regulations require a license for one to drive along the country’s roads,” he said.
Nyathi castigated journalists who abuse their relations with the police and go around committing crimes, only to call their colleagues in the ZRP when they are arrested r are in trouble.
“There are some who call to tell you that they have been arrested, and when you try to inquire what they would have done to get arrested, they end up not telling the truth.
The officer commanding Mashonaland Central, Commissioner Wikliff Makamache, said he was impressed by the cordial relations between the local media fraternity and police under his jurisdiction.
He said such a “relationship of bolt and nut” is important for developing the country, calling for the relations to continue improving.
According to Asst Comm Nyathi, relations between police and the media in other provinces were a cause of concern and they have been dousing fires in previous engagements there. Nhau/Indaba