A police officer on 21 July 2020 reportedly threatened to shoot TellZim journalist Upenyu Chaota in Zimbabwe’s southern border town of Masvingo.
Media violations
Police search home of arrested journalist
Police in Harare on 21 July 2020 searched the home of arrested journalist Hopewell Chin’ono for documents and other articles he used in allegedly committing the offence of inciting public violence for which he is being charged with.
Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono arrested
Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was on 20 July 2020 arrested around 11:00hrs at his home in Harare and taken to Harare Central Police Station.
Journalist treated for injuries following assault by police
Freelance journalist Tapiwa Zivira was on 16 July 2020 reportedly assaulted by the police and members of the Harare Municipal Police while filming an incident involving a truck driver and municipal police officers along Lytton Road in Harare.
Masvingo journalist charged with undermining authority of President
Freelance journalist Godfrey Mtimba who is based in Zimbabwe’s southern town of Masvingo was on 29 June 2020 charged with undermining the authority of or insulting the President.
Two freelance journalists assaulted by soldiers in Harare
Soldiers have assaulted journalists Munashe Chokodza and Leopold Munhende this evening, 24 June 2020, who were returning home from work. The duo was assaulted with military whips at the Warren Park shopping centre in Harare.
Trial of Newsday journalist commences
The trial of NewsDay journalist Rex Mphisa and Zimpapers sales representative Charles Marerwa on charges of contravening the COVID-19 regulations was on 5 June 2020 adjourned to 9 June 2020 in Zimbabwe’s southern border town of Beitbridge.
Journalist living in fear following threats by Zanu PF officials
Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono says he fears for his life following a Zanu PF press conference, during which he was named as attacking the integrity of the First Family by exposing its alleged corruption.
Journalists charged under COVID-19 regulations granted bail
Journalists Frank Chikowore and Samuel Takawira were granted bail when they appeared in court and remanded out of custody to 15 June 2020 on charges of breaching Section 11 (b) of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020 in terms of the COVID-19 regulations.
Journalists charged under COVID-19 regulations remanded in custody
Journalists Frank Chikowore and Samuel Takawira were on 23 May 2020 denied bail and remanded in custody to 26 May 2020 on charges of breaching Section 11 (b) of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020 in terms of the COVID-19 regulations when they appeared before the court in Harare’s suburb of Mbare.