Policemen Attack Journalist In Milange
Maputo, 17 Jan (AIM) – Agents of the Mozambican frontier police, in Milange district, in the central province of Zambezia, on Sunday assaulted Rosario Cardoso, a journalist on the Thumbine Community Radio.
According to a Tuesday press release from the Mozambican chapter of the regional press freedom body MISA (Media Institute of Southern Africa), four policemen intercepted Cardoso at about 22.00 when he was walking home.
When they demanded to know why he was on the public highway at night, Cardoso explained that he had closed the radio for the day and was going home. The police demanded proof, and he showed them his radio uniform and his identity card.
The police were clearly trying to extort money from Cardoso. Other citizens they intercepted were forced to pay bribes before being allowed to continue their journeys. Since Cardoso would not pay, they beat him.
“Since you say you’re a journalist, go and complain. Nothing will happen to us”, said the man who claimed to be the head of the police group. He then let Cardoso go.
Later on Sunday evening, Cardoso went to the Milange Urban Health Centre, where he received treatment for his injuries. He also complained to the Milange district police command. However, the Command refused even to register the case, on the grounds that they did not know who the policemen were who attacked him.
MISA said it “vehemently deplores and condemns this and any other form of aggression and violation of the physical integrity of journalists, regardless of what time of day they are performing their duties”. It pointed out that there is no legal restriction on the hours that journalists, or any other citizens, can be on the streets.
MISA deplored the refusal of the Milange police command even to register the case, when it was their responsibility to investigate the matter and hold responsible those who attacked Cardoso for their criminal acts.
“This attitude of the police command sends out a message of complicity and of protection of the deviant behaviour of police agents”, the MISA release added. “This contradicts the principles of their existence, which are to guarantee public order and tranquility and the protection of citizens”.
MISA demanded an investigation of the incident and warned that it would take measures to ensure that those who attacked Cardoso are held responsible.
(AIM)
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