2007.
Detective Inspector Rangwani, one of the arresting officers who allegedly assaulted Phiri following his arrest in Harare was expected to give evidence in court today. He, however, failed to turn up as expected as he was said to be off-duty leaving Harare Magistrate Stanley Chimedza with no option but to postpone the matter.
At the commencement of the trial, the defence team of Beatrice Mtetwa and Harrison Nkomo together with MISA-Zimbabwe Legal Officer Wilbert Mandinde raised the issue of the outstanding investigations into the torture and detention of Phiri as ordered by the remand court on 5 April 2007.
He was allegedly severely assaulted by the police while in custody following his arrest in Harare on 1 April 2007.
Phiri, whose charge relates to practicing journalism without accreditation between August 2006 and April 2007 pleaded not guilty to stringing for The Zimbabwean when the trial opened.
Prosecutor Editor Mavuto has so far led evidence from Academy Bvumai Chinamora who is the Principal Research, Investigations and Monitoring Officer with the state-controlled Media and Information Commission (MIC).
For any questions, queries or comments, please contact:
Nyasha Nyakunu
Research and Information Officer
Media Institute of Southern Africa – Zimbabwe
84 McChlery Ave
Eastlea
P.O Box HR 8113
Harare
Zimbabwe
Tel/Fax: 263 4 776165 / 746838
Cell: 263 11 602 448
Email;misa@misazim.co.zw
Website: www.misazim.co.zw
Post published in: News