(MISA/IFEX) – On 3 July 2001, three journalists, cameraman Chris Mazivanghanga of the Associated Press agency, photographer Tsvangirai Mukwazhi of “The Daily News”, and reporter Cornelius Nduna of “The Sunday Standard”, were arrested for allegedly interfering with police investigations while covering an ongoing strike against economic mismanagement and a rise in fuel prices, in Harare. […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 3 July 2001, three journalists, cameraman Chris Mazivanghanga of the Associated Press agency, photographer Tsvangirai Mukwazhi of “The Daily News”, and reporter Cornelius Nduna of “The Sunday Standard”, were arrested for allegedly interfering with police investigations while covering an ongoing strike against economic mismanagement and a rise in fuel prices, in Harare.
The three journalists were covering the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions’ (ZCTU) instigated stay-away in the high-density suburb of Budiriro in Harare. A MISA-Zimbabwe source said that the police chased the three all the way to the police station, where the reporters sought refuge. Upon their arrest they were forced to sign admission of guilt forms, which they refused to do. They were then held in custody overnight.
MISA -Zimbabwe contacted the Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson, Superintendent Wayne Bvudzijena, for information on the charges that had been laid against the journalists. He said the three were arrested for obstructing police investigations. Asked whether the police would release the journalists, Bvudzijena said that the courts would decide on the matter. “The journalists will appear at the magistrate’s court today [4 July] in the afternoon, and it is up to the magistrate to grant them bail. As soon as they appear in court, it will no longer be the police’s decision whether they are released or not. In fact, they will not be coming back to the police cells,” Bvudzijena said.
MISA-Zimbabwe established that Mukwazhi would be represented by Stumbles & Rowe law firm. Cornelius Nduna would be represented by Innocent Chagonda of Atherston & Cook.
On the afternoon of 4 July the journalists were released as they were due to appear in court. The attorney general refused to prosecute them, saying that the journalists had no case to answer. MISA-Zimbabwe’s sources confirmed that the three did not even reach the courtroom.
“It is a surprise to us that they had been detained for breaching the Miscellaneous Act. Perhaps they are the first to be detained overnight for that offence in Zimbabwe,” said “The Standard”‘s editor, Mark Chavunduka.
Chavunduka said the action of the police is viewed as part of the wider campaign by the government to crack down on journalists.
“The action is part of the harassment of journalists in the independent press and we expect more of this as we approach the presidential elections due next year.”
BACKGROUND:
The journalists’ arrest comes barely two weeks after journalists from “The Zimbabwe Mirror” were beaten by riot police while covering riots against increased commuter fares on 18 June (see IFEX alert of 25 June 2001). The harassment has largely been targeted at members of the independent press.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
– registering concern about the harassment of journalists in the course of their duties, especially by the Zimbabwe Republic Police
– recalling the need to adhere to international conventions such as Article 19 of the United Nations charter, to which Zimbabwe is a signatory
– reminding them of the harm that such actions are causing to Zimbabwe’s international image
Appeals To
John Nkomo
Hon Minister of Home Affairs
Box CY165 Causeway, Harare
Fax: +263 4 726 716
Professor Jonathan Moyo
Hon Minister of State of Information and Publicity
President’s Office
Bag 7700
Causeway, Harare
Fax: +263 4 70638
E-mail: zimonline@gta.gov.zw
The Police Commissioner
c/o Superintendent Wayne Bvudzijena
The Zimbabwe Republic Police
Box CY154
Harare
Fax: +263 4 253 212
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
