Staff Reporter

Citizens from all walks of life have castigated the utter disregard of journalism ethics by Zimeye’s Simba Chikanza.

The chastisement follows Chikanza’s attempt to blackmail the First Lady Amai Auxillia Mnangagwa in order to have an interview with her.

Chikanza claims to have had a video call conversation with the First Lady where the later indicated she could not disclose certain information since she was not authorized to speak on the issues.

ZANU PF Director of Information and Publicity, Tafadzwa Mugwadi condemned Chikanza saying that his behavior was akin to that of a conman which deserved legal action.

“I have always reckoned this guy called Simba Chikanza is a nuisance in people`s lives. I can assure you all that his behavior is akin to a conman who should be sued for his delicts,” said Mugwadi.

Jacky Sande posted his dismay at Chikanza on her Twitter handle and demanded that he follows journalism ethics in carrying out his duties and stop resorting to hate speech and unfounded threats and blackmail, while calling of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) to take action.

“Stop issuing threats Simba and be ethical for once. It is not the first time that you have done this. It is now a habit and I feel it’s high time that you should be brought to book. On this one Simba, you must not go unpunished,” said Sande.

Kudzai Gumbo also reiterated Sande’s sentiments by adding that Chikanza should be punished for bringing the name of the First Family into disrepute.

“The attempt by Chikanza to blackmail Mai Mnangagwa into speaking to him using threats to release an off the record conversation is the worst unethical breach in journalism,” he said.

Meanwhile, Government in its efforts to make information accessible to all media institutions has put in place information departments in all its Ministries for easy access to information by journalists.  Chikanza was out of line in trying to forcefully usurp information from a person without access and authority to such information.