Nevanji Madanhire editor with The Standard weekly newspaper was on 30 November 2010 arrested and charged with breaching Section 31 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act which deals with publication of falsehoods prejudicial to the state.
Madanhire was detained overnight at Rhodesville Police Station in Harare. The offence carries a 20-year prison term or the option of a fine. Charges arise from a story written by journalist Nqobani Ndlovu on the postponement of police promotional examinations. Ndlovu is facing similar charges.
MISA-Zimbabwe Chairperson Loughty Dube condemned the continued harassment of journalists saying: We want journalists to be allowed to go about their work without being harassed and intimidated and we call upon the police to allow journalists to go about their work without fear.
Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) president Dumisani Sibanda said the police was a state institution which should be prepared to face scrutiny in its activities. We journalists are watchdogs of society and we will not be deterred. Journalists should continue to discharge their duties professionally, without fear or favour, said Sibanda.
Police should concentrate on fighting crime and arresting criminals instead of following up professionals doing their duties. We will not be intimidated and we will continue to expose social ills.
background
Ndlovu was released on 26 November 2010 after spending nine days at Khami Remand Prison on the outskirts of Bulawayo, Zimbabwes second largest city. Section 31 pertains to the publishing or communication of false statements prejudicial to the state with a maximum 20-year prison term or the option of a fine. (Find attached herewith detailed provisions of the Acts in question).
Zimbabwean journalists and representative media organisations on 26 November 2010 petitioned Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai expressing grave concern with the increase in the number of cases involving the arrests and harassment of journalists.
Post published in: Politics