Harare, Zimbabwe – The Zimbabwean media fraternity is mourning the tragic death of freelance journalist and award-winning videographer James Jemwa, who was struck and killed by a car in central Harare on Saturday night.
According to the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Harare Advocacy Committee, James Jemwa was hit near the NSSA building along Second Street shortly after leaving colleagues with whom he had spent the evening. He was later pronounced dead at Parirenyatwa Hospital, where his body was taken.
“I received a call from the police this morning saying that his body is at Parirenyatwa Hospital,” confirmed MISA Harare Advocacy Committee chair, Mlondolozi Ndlovu, speaking to ZimEye.
Ndlovu described the loss as devastating, recalling that only hours earlier Jemwa had been in good spirits while sharing time with fellow journalists in the capital. “What is painful is that we were together, sharing laughs until around 7 PM. He was in a jovial mood. Little did we know that was the last time we would see him alive.”
James Jemwa was widely admired across Zimbabwe and beyond for his skill behind the camera. Known for his sharp eye, creative framing, and deep commitment to telling stories truthfully, he carved out a reputation as one of the country’s finest visual storytellers.
Working as a freelancer and fixer for international broadcasters, including Al Jazeera, he contributed to global coverage of Zimbabwe’s political, social, and economic challenges. His work often captured moments of hardship, resilience, and defiance, helping the outside world understand the lived realities of ordinary Zimbabweans.
Zimbabwean Journalist and Acclaimed Videographer James Jemwa Dies After Harare Road Accident
Colleagues describe him as not only a professional of rare ability but also a generous collaborator, always willing to help others in the field. For many, his passing is not just the loss of a journalist, but of a friend and brother-in-arms in the pursuit of truth.
James Jemwa ’s career was not without danger. His dedication to documenting events frequently put him on a collision course with the authorities, particularly under the late President Robert Mugabe’s regime, when the state grew increasingly intolerant of critical journalism.
On 27 June 2016, James Jemwa was arrested while filming Zimbabweans queuing outside banks in central Harare during the height of the cash crisis. His footage was part of a broader effort to shed light on the country’s deepening economic collapse.
Barely two months later, he was arrested again and spent a week in Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison, one of Zimbabwe’s most notorious detention facilities. He was eventually granted bail alongside more than 60 protesters who had been rounded up during demonstrations in the capital.
Reports from that time indicated that soldiers were among those who assaulted and detained him, underscoring the risks he faced for simply doing his job.
His ordeal came on the heels of another arrest, when he and fellow journalists Garikai Chaunza, Christopher Mahove, Khumbulani Zamuchiya, and Edward Gweshe were detained while covering protests against then–Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s extended stay at the Rainbow Towers Hotel. The group was released without charge following intervention by the Media Lawyers Network, but the incidents highlighted the precarious environment in which independent journalists operated.
For those who knew him, James Jemwa ’s work was about more than images. His lens captured the spirit of Zimbabweans navigating moments of crisis, resilience, and hope. Whether filming protests, documenting economic struggles, or showcasing everyday life, he approached his craft with humility and courage.
Colleagues and friends say he lived by the principle that journalism was a service — not only to inform but also to bear witness to realities that others sought to suppress. In this, he represented a generation of reporters who paid a heavy price for truth-telling but remained undeterred.
“James was more than just a journalist,” said one of his peers. “He was a storyteller who believed in the dignity of every person whose story he told. He risked his safety so the world could see Zimbabwe as it truly was.”
News of James Jemwa ’s death has sent shockwaves through the country’s media circles. Tributes have poured in from colleagues, human rights groups, and international journalists who worked alongside him. Many described him as a dedicated professional whose absence will be deeply felt in both local and international reporting.
His death also raises questions about the vulnerability of journalists, who often face risks not only from hostile authorities but also from the precarious conditions under which they work. For Jemwa, the dangers were both political and personal, yet he continued to press forward in service of the truth.
As Zimbabwe mourns his passing, his legacy endures in the powerful stories he captured and the courage he demonstrated in telling them. For a country still grappling with issues of accountability, transparency, and freedom of expression, James Jemwa ’s life serves as a reminder of the essential role that journalism plays — and the sacrifices it demands.
Source- ZimEYE
