PERMANENT Secretary for Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Mr Nick Mangwana said yesterday that British broadcaster Sky News is not accredited to work in Zimbabwe.

His comments come after Sky News Africa correspondent, John Sparks (pictured), reported of an alleged incident in which a man in handcuffs is being beaten by men wearing police and army uniforms.

Said Mangwana: “We have checked our records and we have not cleared anyone from Sky for accreditation.

“Normally that should happen before they are even allowed to come into the country. During the disturbances we cleared dozens of journalists but Sky News did not apply.

“It’s strange why they chose not to obey the law because everyone else from British Media such as ITN, BBC, Financial Times did things the correct way and they never faced any problems. We even granted them interviews when they asked for same.”

Mangwana noted said Sky News’ report is not balanced because they had not sought comment  from Government before they broadcast their allegations.

SkyNews’ Africa correspondent, John Sparks, revealed the atrocities he has seen in the country over the past week as Zimbabweans protest against a 150% fuel price rise.

Sparks’ eyewitness account told how he saw a policeman striking a man with a truncheon on his head, accompanied by a soldier and a plain clothes security agent who slapped, punched and kicked the man – in broad daylight.

The Sky News crew then followed the group on Harare’s Chiremba Road as the officers ordered the victim to run, then bundled him into a private taxi.

Caught on camera, the policeman then dragged the man out and the group started hitting his face as he sat handcuffed on the ground while onlookers covered their eyes.

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has said he is “appalled” after seeing reports by Sky News of police and soldiers beating civilians during protests.

“I was appalled by today’s Sky News report. This is not the Zimbabwean way,” the president said.

“I have instructed that the individuals behind this be arrested and encourage all those impacted to contact the authorities and file an official complaint.”