Victim/ Concerned Party

Violation/ Event/issue

Date

Status of matter

Fungai Machirori, media student with National University of Science and Technology

Taking photographs of students demonstrating at the university campus without police permission.

6 April 2006

Machirori was later released without charges.

Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe, publishers of the Daily News and Daily News on Sunday.

The Minister of Information and Publicity Dr Tichaona Jokonya files opposing papers after the publishing house had filed for a High Cout order to be deemed duly registered.

20 April 2006

The matter is still pending before the courts.

This followed High Court judge Justice Rita Makarau’s judgment on 8 February 2006 in which she ruled that the Media and Information Commission was biased against the ANZ.

Jokonya is arguing that he cannot appoint an independent committee to preside over the matter because the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) has no provision authorising him to so proceed.

International Press Institute (IPS)

The IPS attacked the African Union over its lethargy in tackling Zimbabwe’s poor human rights record particularly its lack of respect for freedom of the press.

The IPS’s reservations were contained in a letter to the AU chairman Denis Sassou-Nguesso and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan dated 14 April 2006.

The IPI noted that efforts by the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to try and influence Zimbabwe to respect fundamental rights and freedoms had so far largely gone unheeded.

Voice of the People Radio Station directors, David Masunda, Nhlanhla Ngwenya, Lawrence Chibwe, Millie Phiri, Arnold Tsunga, Bella Matambanadzo and director John Masuku.

Charged with violating Section 7 (1) of the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) by operating a radio station without a licence.

26 April 2006

A Harare magistrate set their trial date for 15 June 2006.