THE Tanzania Editors' Forum (TEF) has formed a probe team of five people tasked to investigate on the incident that left the forum's chairman and Managing Editor of New Habari (2006) Corporation, Mr Absalom Kibanda seriously wounded.

A statement issued by TEF General Secretary, Mr Nevile Meena on Friday says the team comprises of three members of the forum, one from the Media Council of Tanzania and from MISA-TAN.

The statement says the team would commence its job next week and that it would be expected to complete their task in two weeks time. Findings would serve as a guideline for appropriate course of action.

Doctors attending Mr Kibanda at a South African hospital say they had already started treating him to avoid the risk of infections and bring the swelling under control, according to the statement made available in Dar es Salaam on friday.

It further says that Mr Kibanda's health was improving and that appointed panel of four doctors monitoring every development, were optimistic that he would recover fully.

Mr Kibanda was attacked by unknown people a few metres from his residence in Mbezi Beach on Tuesday night. Police in Dar es Salaam have formed a nine-person team to investigate his attack.

On the fateful day the assailant pulled him out of his car while waiting at the gate at his residence and was seriously beaten.

Briefing journalists at Muhimbili Orthopaedic Institute (MOI) where Mr Kibanda was undergoing treatment before being flown to South Africa three days ago, TEF acting chairman, Mr Theophil Makunga, said that journalists in the country could not afford to remain silent on the uncalled-for physical attacks on innocent people, including journalists.

He was flown to South Africa for further treatment. He had some of his teeth and nails plucked out and his left eye was pierced with a sharp object. He also suffered multiple injuries on his head.