News and press statements
Journalist detained overnight for violating curfew
Journalist Gilbert Munetsi spent the night in police cells after he was arrested by police in Chitungwiza outside Harare on 7 August 2020 around 8 pm for allegedly violating the 6 am – 6 pm curfew imposed in terms of the COVID-19 regulations.
Update: Journalist Chin’ono’s lawyers to file fresh bail application
Lawyers representing journalist Hopewell Chin’ono on 7 August 2020 said they will be making a fresh application for bail following denial of his appeal for bail by High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi.
Update: High Court judge denies journalist Chin’ono’s bail
High Court judge on 6 August 2020 dismissed journalist Hopewell Chin’ono’s appeal for bail saying the appellant had failed to prove any misdirection of fact, law or both by the magistrate that denied him bail.
Zimlive editor’s nephew appears before magistrates’ court as ordered
Tawanda Muchehiwa nephew to ZimLive editor Mduduzi Mathuthu appeared before the magistrate’s court in Bulawayo in compliance with the directive by a High Court judge.
Fresh assault on digital rights and expression in Tanzania
The Tanzanian government has banned organising or supporting any form of demonstrations online and ordered citizens not to share information about the spread of the COVID 19 pandemic in the country.
Zimlive editor’s nephew dumped at place of residence
Tawanda Muchehiwa, the nephew to ZimLive editor Mduduzi Mathuthu, was found yesterday evening, the 1st of August 2020 around 2200hrs after he was ‘dropped off’ at his place of residence by his tormentors.
Police ordered to investigate whereabouts of Zimlive editor’s nephew
High Court judge Justice Makonese on 1 August 2020 ordered the police to investigate the whereabouts of Tawanda Muchehiwa, journalist Mduduzi Mathuthu’s nephew and produce the outcome to the Magistrates Courts in Bulawayo within 72 hours.
Media lawyer Sithole files urgent chamber application
Nqobani Sithole has filed an urgent chamber application before the High Court of Bulawayo on the 31st of July 2020 around 15:00hrs for a habeas corpus of Tawanda Muchehiwa. He filed the application representing MISA Zimbabwe.
Police detain journalist over expired accreditation
Franklin Sibindi, a journalist with the Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE ZW) was detained by the police in Bulawayo today, July 31, 2020, for allegedly using an expired accreditation card.