An unidentified bodyguard travelling with Health and Child Care Minister Douglas Mombeshora on Friday allegedly harassed journalists during the minister’s tour of Beitbridge District Hospital.
The bodyguard, without explanation, blocked accredited local journalists from covering Mombeshora as he toured the 160-bed hospital, which is in need of upgrading.
Mombeshora was concluding a week-long working tour of the Second Republic’s “Legacy Projects” in Matabeleland South province, where he visited government hospitals across the region.
The tour began in Maphisa — this year’s venue for the Uhuru celebrations — where he inspected work at Kezi District Hospital. He also visited Plumtree Hospital in Mangwe district, which serves Bulilima.
During the tour, Mombeshora said government plans to build a new district hospital in Bulilima. He also toured Gwanda and other district hospitals to assess health service delivery and challenges.
His final stop was Beitbridge, where he arrived shortly after 2pm and held a briefing before touring the hospital, which was built after independence in 1980.
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Tensions arose during a visit to the maternity wing, where the bodyguard prevented local journalists from entering, allegedly allowing only media personnel from Harare to proceed.
He positioned himself between the minister and reporters, obstructing photographers from capturing images. Beitbridge District Hospital serves a population of about 120,000 people and also handles thousands of travellers who pass through the busy Beitbridge Border Post.
When questioned about blocking local media, the bodyguard reportedly became agitated and called one reporter aside.
After the journalist produced his press card and explained he was carrying out his duties, the bodyguard responded: “So you don’t want me to do my work? I am doing my work.”
He did not indicate whether he was acting on specific instructions.
Witnesses said the bodyguard appeared restless, moving between police officers and Ministry of Health and Child Care officials who were accompanying the minister. Those officials appeared to pay little attention to the situation.
After Mombeshora concluded his address to the press, the bodyguard called members of the entourage to board their vehicles while World Health Organisation delegates were still briefing reporters.
A journalist who requested anonymity described the bodyguard’s conduct as “overzealous and misplaced.”