Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was on 9 January 2021 remanded in custody to 11 January 2021 when he appeared before Harare magistrate Lazini Ncube on allegations of publishing or communicating falsehoods prejudicial to the State.
Media violations
Chin’ono arrested on allegations of publishing falsehoods
Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was on 8 January 2021 arrested on allegations of publishing or communicating falsehoods prejudicial to the State.
Judge grants Chin’ono application for alteration of bail conditions
High Court judge Justice Mushore granted an application by journalist Hopewell Chin’ono for the alteration of his bail conditions.
High Court judge recuses magistrate from Chin’ono’s trial
High Court judge Justice Happious Zhou set aside Harare magistrate Ngoni Nduna’s ruling disqualifying Beatrice Mtetwa from representing journalist Hopewell Chin’ono as his lead lawyer.
Zanu PF supporters harass journalist
NewsDay correspondent Kenneth Nyangani was reportedly manhandled at the Zanu PF provincial headquarters in the eastern border town of Mutare while covering demonstrations by some disgruntled party supporters.
High Court judge stays journalist Chin’ono’s trial
High Court judge Justice Happious Zhou stayed proceedings of the trial of journalist Hopewell Chin’ono which was set to commence on 7 December 2020 on charges of inciting violence pending the determination of his review application.
Police arrest journalists in dragnet swoop on council meeting
Three journalists and three journalism students were on 3 December 2020 arrested in Harare’s dormitory town of Chitungwiza following a dragnet swoop by the police on a full council meeting of Chitungwiza Municipality.
Chin’ono application for variation of bail conditions dismissed
Harare magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa on 27 November 2020 dismissed journalist Hopewell Chin’ono’s application for temporal variation of his bail conditions.
Journalist arrested for using 2019 accreditation card
Freelance journalist Dumisani Zvandasara was on 26 November 2020 arrested in Kwekwe for using a 2019 Zimbabwe Media Commission-issued press card.
Journalist arrested while taking pictures
Freelance journalist Panashe Makufa was on 26 November 2020 arrested in Harare’s central business district while taking pictures of commuter transport problems.