Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA)

Leopold Munhende was arrested while taking photographs of the voter registration process at the Registrar General’s Offices in Masvingo on 9 July 2013.

On 21 June 2013, Wendy Muperi and Wonai Masvingise, journalists with the privately-owned newspapers, Daily News and NewsDay were briefly detained by ZANU-PF security personnel while covering a demonstration at the political party’s headquarters in Harare.

On 18 June 2013, supporters of Zambia’s ruling Patriotic Front party disrupted the annual general meeting of Mkushi FM and demanded to be elected to the board of the radio station.

Suspected supporters of the ruling Patriotic Front (PF) have attacked TV journalist Njenje Chivu, and also seized his camera. The journalist says that he was then threatened with unspecified action if he went on to broadcast photos he had taken.

Freelance journalist, Paul Pindani, is reportedly battling for life after he was abducted from his home and severely assaulted in Mashonaland West’s provincial capital of Chinhoyi on Friday, 14 June 2013.

Eighteen human rights organisations came together to support an open letter addressed by the Civil Coalition for the Defence of Freedom of Expression to the Chairman and members of the National Constituent Assembly in Tunisia, as they prepare to discuss the final draft of the constitution.

Eleven private broadcasters have rejected the Draft Digital Migration Policy, developed by Zambia’s Ministry of Information. The broadcasters are asking for the government to consult relevant stakeholders before continuing to develop the policy.

Youngson Chilinda, chief security officer of the Parliament of Malawi, punched photojournalist Thoko Chikondi on 30 May 2013. Chilinda was arrested on 1 June, and has denied the charge of “assault occasioning bodily harm.”