Last Updated: Wednesday, 31 May 2023, 15:44 GMT

Journalists Killed in 2007 - Motive Confirmed: Edward Chikomba

Publisher Committee to Protect Journalists
Publication Date January 2008
Cite as Committee to Protect Journalists, Journalists Killed in 2007 - Motive Confirmed: Edward Chikomba, January 2008, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/4e64962c2.html [accessed 5 June 2023]
DisclaimerThis is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States.

Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (former)
May 31, 2007, in Darwendale, Zimbabwe

Chikomba, a veteran cameraman formerly with the state-run Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), was abducted on March 29 near his home in the capital, Harare, by a group of armed men in a four-wheel drive vehicle, according to the Media Institute of South Africa, local journalists, and news reports. He was found dead two days later near the industrial farming area of Darwendale, 50 miles (80 kilometers) west of Harare, according to the same sources. Chikomba was beaten to death, sources close to his family told CPJ.

Several news reports said Chikomba's killing might be linked to his alleged leaking to foreign media of footage of badly beaten opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai after the politician's release from police custody in February. Footage of Tsvangirai leaving a Harare courthouse with a suspected fractured skull, and then lying in a hospital bed, sparked international condemnation of President Robert Mugabe's regime. The footage aired on many foreign television stations, but not on ZBC, the country's sole television network, local journalists told CPJ.

Police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena did not respond to CPJ's messages seeking comment. Chikomba was one of several senior ZBC journalists forced to step down in 2002 during a harsh media crackdown led by then-Information Minister Jonathan Moyo, according to local journalists.

Medium:Television
Job:Camera Operator
Beats Covered:Politics
Gender:Male
Local or Foreign:Local
Freelance:Yes
Type of Death:Murder
Suspected Source of Fire:Government Officials
Impunity:Yes
Taken Captive:Yes
Tortured:No
Threatened:Yes

 

Copyright notice: © Committee to Protect Journalists. All rights reserved. Articles may be reproduced only with permission from CPJ.

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