Journalists granted application for referral to Supreme Court. Harare magistrate Don Ndirowei on 28 February 2011 removed from remand and granted an application for referral to the Supreme Court by Standard journalists Nevanji Madanhire and Nqobani Ndlovu after the State failed to oppose the application.
The journalists are jointly charged with Loud Ramakpola representing Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) publishers of the Standard and Zimbabwe Independent weeklies. Ndirowei further ruled that the case would proceed by way of summons. Madanhire who is the editor of the Standard together with reporter Ndlovu, 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. The charges arise from the publication of a story carried in the Standard edition of 14 November 2010 that police promotional examinations had been cancelled to accommodate war veterans and retired police chiefs ahead of anticipated general elections this year.
The trio was represented by lawyer Chris Mhike.
Background
Ndlovu was arrested in Bulawayo on 17 November 2010 and released on $100 bail after spending nine days in Khami prison. Madanhire was arrested later on 30 November 2010 before being released on $100 bail on 1 December 2010.
Post published in: Politics