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Journalists arrested whilst trying to cover treason trial
Media Institute of Southern Africa - Zimbabwe Chapter (MISA-Zimbabwe)
February 03, 2003

Pedzisayi Ruhanya, the deputy news editor of The Daily News and Ishmael Mafundikwa a freelance journalist have been arrested for allegedly obstructing police duties.

Ruhanya was manhandled by 3 button wielding policemen and dragged into a police vehicle with registration number 750 037G. The vehicle drove off as soon as Ruhanya was pushed into the back. It was not clear as to when Mafundikwa was picked up. The two are locked up at the Harare Central police station.

The journalists were arrested today (3 February) at the High Court as they tried to enter the courtroom where the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) leader, Morgan Tsvangirai is being tried for allegedly plotting to assassinate President Robert Mugabe. The two were arrested when they objected to being barred from entering the courtroom when state media journalists had been allowed to get in. The police apparently allowed reporters from the state owned Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) and The Herald to get in and barred the two and other private media reporters.

Beatrice Mtetwa the lawyers for the two journalists said that they have been charged under the Section 21 of the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) for allegedly undermining the police. Mtetwa said that the two would likely spend the night in police cells. The police had, according to Mtetwa, asked the journalist to pay a Z$3000 admission of guilty fine so that they could be released. The journalists however refused to pay the fine as they insist that they did nothing wrong. Mtetwa says that the journalists might appear in court tomorrow.

Private media journalists have now been allowed into the courtroom after the defense counsel complained to the Presiding Judge, Justice Paddington Garwe

For more information:
Rashweat Mukundu Research and Information Officer MISA-Zimbabwe
E mail: misa@mweb.co.zw

Visit the MISA-Zimbabwe fact sheet

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