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Journalists covering CHRA demonstration arrested
MISA-Zimbabwe
July 19, 2006

Journalists Godwin Mangudya and Ndamu Sandu were arrested and detained at Harare Central Police station on 19 July 2006 while covering demonstrations to press for the removal of the Chairperson of the Commission running the affairs of Harare Municipality.

Mangudya, a freelance journalist formerly with the banned Daily News, and Sandu who works for the privately owned weekly Zimbabwe Standard, were arrested together with 17 members of the Combined Harare Residents Association (CHRA).

The two were still in police custody by 4.30pm.

According to MISA-Zimbabwe's legal officer Wilbert Mandinde, lawyers representing the journalists were denied access to their clients and could not immediately ascertain the nature of the charges they are facing.

CHRA organised the demonstration to press for the removal the Commission running the affairs of the capital city to pave way for the convening of mayoral and council elections. The Commission is led by Sekesai Makwavarara.

"We are saying, we will no longer sit back and watch our city being destroyed. We demand the removal of Makwavarara and we demand elections for a mayor immediately," said Precious Shumba, CHRA's information officer.

Harare has been without a mayor since the dismissal of elected mayor Elias Mudzuri in 2004. Mudzuri was elected on an opposition MDC ticket. No date has been set for the elections to choose a mayor for Harare.

The Minister of Local Government, Public Works and Urban Development, Ignatius Chombo, last week said elections were likely to be held in 2007.

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