Victim/ Concerned Party

Violation/ Event/issue

Date

Status of matter

Jonathan Maphenduka, veteran journalist and Commissioner with the government-controlled Media and Information Commission (MIC).

Maphenduka announced his resignation from the MIC over what he described as its ill-advised decisions to close down The Daily News, Daily News on Sunday, The Weekly Times and The Tribune.

7 October 2005.

Maphenduka tendered his resignation letter to the Secretary of Information and Publicity George Charamba, on 18 August.

He said the MIC’s decisions were counter-productive to media freedom.

Dr Ibbo Mandaza, suspended founding chief executive and editor-in-chief of the Zimbabwe Mirror Newspapers Group (ZMNG).

Mandaza confirmed that the Central Intelligence Organisation had infiltrated the media house by wresting a majority shareholding through a company known as Unique World Investments.

7 October 2005

Retired Chief Justice Anthony Gubbay, has since been appointed to head an independent tribunal that will probe Mandaza’s ouster.

MISA-Zimbabwe

Thembinkosi Sibanda, a Zanu PF councillor in Dete, Matabeleland North Province, barred a meeting organised by MISA-Zimbabwe under its Community Radio Initiatives saying the organisers did not have police clearance.

7 October 2005

The MISA advocacy committee in the mining town of Hwange, had, however, been given verbal clearance to proceed with the meeting. The meeting was eventually cancelled until further notice.

Dr Ibbo Mandaza

High Court Judge Justice Bharat Patel suggested that a retired judge should hear the case in which Mandaza is contesting his ouster from the Zimbabwe Mirror Newspapers Group.

11 October 2005

Retired Chief Justice Anthony Gubbay has since been appointed to head an independent labour tribunal to probe Mandaza’s suspension.