The editor of the weekly Standard newspaper has been released on bail, with the same magistrate who heard the case ordering the state to probe the abuse of power by the police.Harare magistrate Don Ndirowei granted bail to the Standard editor Nevanji Madanhire on Wednesday, after his arrest Tuesday. Madanhire will be back in court later this month.
Magistrate Ndirowei also ordered that the police be investigated for gross abuse of power, after Madanhires lawyer complained that his client was arrested and detained with no evidence of his alleged crime. The lawyer said that police had demonstrated heavy handedness and disregard of basic human rights by detaining his client overnight.
There has been a disturbing trend by police to arrest and detain people even without any evidence. This is clear abuse of office by the police, lawyer, Chris Mhike said.
Police had tried to arrest Nevanji Madanhire on Monday, but the editor wasnt at his offices and immediately went into hiding. He was however persuaded to hand himself over to police on Tuesday, in the presence of his lawyer. He was then officially 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.
The charges arise from a story written by The Standards Bulawayo journalist, Nqobani Ndlovu, on the postponement of police promotional examinations, and the recruitment of war vets into the force. Ndlovu was arrested last month and is facing similar charges. He was only released from custody last week after spending nine days at Khami Remand Prison.
Rights groups have expressed concern about this most recent clamp down on independent journalists in the country, which is widely believed to be a result of the coming elections. Concern is high that this could be the start of even more severe restrictions on the media.
Post published in: News