The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists has criticized an official of the national soccer team for retaliating against a reporter who criticized the team in an article.
Warriors Trust Fund official Henrietta Rushwaya is said to have taken action against reporter Phathisani Moyo of the Bulawayo Sunday News for writing a damning report on the Warriors' defeat by underdog Malawi Saturday in a Nations Cup qualifier.
Union Treasurer Augustine Mukaro said his association is investigating the matter, but feels clearly aggrieved by what he described as harassment of Moyo. He said that the journalist had acted professionally and ethically when he wrote the article.
The official is said to have removed Moyo’s name from the list of journalists whose hotel accommodations are paid for by the team under a longstanding arrangement, and threatened to exclude Bulawayo journalists from future Warriors trips.
Moyo, whose publication is controlled by the state, confirmed the incident, but declined to make a recorded comment for broadcast by VOA.
Reporter Marvellous Mhlanga-Nyahuye of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe asked union officer Mukaro what action his organization is considering in the matter.
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