Herald Correspondent
The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) has said it has received a formal complaint from TechnoMagTV editor-in-chief Toneo Toneo, who alleges that he was assaulted while covering the funeral of the late businessman Wicknell Chivayo and his wife.
ZMC executive secretary Mr Godwin Phiri confirmed that the complaint was received on Friday, October 9, 2026, adding that the commission will investigate the allegations, engage the parties involved and decide.
Mr Phiri said although Toneo had previously contacted the commission over the matter, the complaint was only formally lodged on Friday through the commission’s established procedures.
“We received the formal complaint today. So the complaint was only raised with us today,” he said.
Mr Phiri said the commission has now accepted the complaint and will handle it in line with its procedures for dealing with media-related complaints.
“As a commission, we have received it, and we are looking at it in the same manner that we did with other complaints in the media,” he said.
“So we will investigate, we will reach out to the other parties that are involved and then make a determination,” he said.
The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault, with the commission engaging the parties concerned before reaching a decision.
The complaint brings renewed attention to the safety of journalists covering high-profile public events and the need for media practitioners to be able to carry out their professional duties without intimidation or violence.
