Press Statement.
It is with utter dismay that we received the news that one of our members, Tsitsi Bertha Ndabambi was grossly violated at the hands of Esau Hondora and the Zero Crime Tolerance security personnel in Kadoma at the weekend.
Tsitsi was on duty covering the Mafikizolo gig at Kadoma Oddyssey Hotel when she protested at the manner bouncers were trying to search her. This saw Esau Hondora assault her and then he ordered six baton wielding bouncers to assault her, despite her asking repeatedly why she was being violated the onslaught continued.
As the Arts Journalists Association of Zimbabwe we condemn the actions by Esau Hondora and his Zero Crime Tolerance staffers with the disdain it deserves.
Owner of the concert, 2 Kings Entertainment boss Tich Maradza has reportedly apologised to Tsitsi and has helped with medical bill payments. As AJAZ we await 2 Kings Entertainment’s action against Esau Hondora and his security company Zero Crime Tolerance with regards to this incident. This is not the first time Esau Hondora has harassed and attacked journalists covering events.
We need to rid our society of individuals that just pounce on defenceless journalists and more so, women.
We are in the process of lobbying the National arts Council of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Union of Journalists, the Media Institute of Southern Africa, Zimbabwe Business and Arts Hub, Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe and pressure groups to take on the case so that the culprits are put to book.
She suffered head injuries and is in the process of getting a police report.
We hope the matter will be brought to finality soon and Tsitsi will get recourse.
Zandile Zaza Ndlovu
Vice President
Arts Journalists Association of Zimbabwe
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