Freelance photojournalist fails to attend court

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Harare magistrate Gloria Takundwa on 16 February 2009 postponed remand proceedings against detained freelance photojournalist Anderson Shadreck Manyere after prisons officials failed yet again to bring him to court citing transport fuel shortages.

Anderson Shadreck Manyere is being charged together with six other
Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) activists for alleged acts of
banditry, sabotage and terrorism in contravention of Section 23 (1) (a)
and (c) (ii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act.

Defence lawyer Aleck Muchadehama stressed that the state should make
effective arrangements to ensure Manyere's attendance as he is entitled
to hear the court proceedings which concern him. The state told the
court that it was not its duty but that of prison officials to ensure
the accused is brought to court.

Magistrate Takundwa, however, said the state should ensure such attendance. She deferred the matter to 18 February 2009.

Background

Manyere first appeared before the Harare Magistrates Courts on 24
December 2008 together with Zimbabwe Peace Project director Jestina
Mukoko ending growing speculation on their whereabouts and safety.
Manyere reportedly went missing after he had taken his vehicle to a
garage in Norton about 40km west of Harare on 13 December 2008 until
his appearance in court on 24 December 2008. Mukoko a former news
anchor with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation who was allegedly
abducted from her home in Norton on the outskirts of Harare on 3
December 2008, is still to be charged.

MISA 

Post published in: Politics

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