(CPJ/IFEX) – On 8 February 1999, Ferayi Mungazi and Fernando Goncalves, former editor and news editor, respectively, of the independent weekly “Zimbabwe Mirror,” were released from detention. **Updates IFEX alerts of 8 February 1999** Background Information On 8 February, Criminal Investigation Division (CID) police arrested Kwinjeh and Goncalves, and later that day, also arrested Grace […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – On 8 February 1999, Ferayi Mungazi and Fernando Goncalves,
former editor and news editor, respectively, of the independent weekly
“Zimbabwe Mirror,” were released from detention.
**Updates IFEX alerts of 8 February 1999**
Background Information
On 8 February, Criminal Investigation Division (CID) police arrested
Kwinjeh and Goncalves, and later that day, also arrested Grace Kwinjeh
and Dr. Ibbo Mandaza, reporter and publisher, respectively, for the
“Zimbabwe Mirror.” Kwinjeh and Mandaza remain in custody on the orders
of an unnamed senior police official.
All four journalists were arrested at the newspaper’s editorial offices
and later charged, under the Law and Order Maintenance Act, with
publishing a false report likely to “cause fear, alarm, or despondency
among the public.” The arrests were in connection with an article
published in the 30 October 1998 edition of the “Zimbabwe Mirror.” The
article reported that the parents of a soldier in the Zimbabwe National
Army (ZNA) who was killed in action in the Democratic Republic of Congo
had received only their son’s head when his remains were returned to
them.
