News and press statements
Journalist Chin’ono spending weekend in maximum prison
Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono will spend the weekend in Chikurubi Maximum Prison after magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa on 6 November 2020 dismissed the application for his release by his defence lawyers.
Journalist Chin’ono appears in court on fresh charges
Detained journalist Hopewell Chin’ono on 5 November 2020 appeared in court in Harare on charges of defeating or obstructing the course of justice following his arrest on 3 November 2020.
Journalist Chin’ono arrested on contempt of court charges
Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was this evening on 3 November 2020 arrested at his home in Harare on allegations of contempt of court.
Journalists arrested following swoop on Harare council meeting
Three journalists arrested while covering a Harare City Council meeting following a swoop on the meeting by the Special Anti-Corruption Unit (SACU) on 29 October 2020 in Harare, have been released without charges.
Tanzania blocks bulk SMS as rights environment deteriorates
Tanzania is in the process of holding its general elections, which have been tainted by the government’s clampdown on basic rights such as freedoms of expression, media, and, digital rights.
Recruitment of public officers must follow the law
We would like to urge the government to stick to the law in recruiting officers.
Tanzania throttles internet ahead of elections
On 26 and 27 October 2020, there were reports that the Tanzania government had throttled the internet, while also attempting to enforce social media blackouts.
Freedom of expression environment deteriorates as Tanzania heads for elections
In the past 10 months, the Tanzanian government has suspended a number of media organisations from broadcasting or publishing, among them Clouds FM and Clouds TV, while the newspaper Tanzania Daima, has been indefinitely barred from publishing.
Zimbabwe’s looming Patriot Bill cause for great concern
Sometime in August 2020, the Zimbabwe Cabinet discussed the possibility of adopting a law that criminalises campaigning against one’s own country.