Nqobani Ndlovu and Nevanji Madanhire journalists with the privately owned Standard weekly newspaper on 23 February 2011 applied for their case to be referred to the Supreme Court challenging the constitutionality of the law they are being charged with.
Madanhire who is the editor of the Standard together with reporter Ndlovu and Alpha Media Holdings (AMH), human resources manager, Loud Ramakgapola, are being charged under Section 31 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. The section deals with publication of statements that undermine public confidence in law enforcements agency. AMH are the publishers of the Standard and Zimbabwe Independent weeklies.
The charges arise from the publication on 14 November 2010 of a story alleging that police promotional examinations had been cancelled to absorb war veterans and retired police chiefs ahead of anticipated general elections this year. The application was made by their lawyer Chris Mhike when they appeared for their routine remand at the Harare magistrates courts. Mhike also applied for refusal of placement on remand.
Harare magistrate Donald Ndirowei was expected to make a ruling on the application on 24 February 2011.
Background
Ndlovu was arrested on 17 November 2010 and released on $100 bail after spending nine days in police custody. Madanhire was arrested later on 30 November 2010 before being released on $100 bail on 1 December 2010.
Post published in: News