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Kwekwe journalists' trial kicks-off
MISA-Zimbabwe
April 28, 2008

The trial of three journalists employed by the weekly Network Guardian in the Midlands town of Kwekwe charged with abuse of journalistic privileges in contravention of the repressive Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) kicked off on 24 April 2008 before Kwekwe Magistrate Oliver Mudzongachiso.

Blessed Mhlanga, James Muonwa and Wycliff Nyarota who were initially facing charges of contravening the Supreme Court-nullified Section 80 (1) (a) (2) of AIPPA which used to prohibit the publication of falsehoods, have since now pleaded not guilty to contravening Section 80(a) (ii) of AIPPA which criminilises abuse of journalistic privileges.

The state alleges that on 26 March 2006, the three or one of them, unlawfully and intentionally and recklessly falsified information that is injurious to the reputation, rights and freedoms of others and published a story in the Network Guardian that George Muvhimi and Tatenda Munhanga were caught with their pants down while having sexual intercourse in a vehicle at Mbizo Shopping Centre in Kwekwe.

The state led evidence from Munhanga who confirmed that she had a relationship with Muvhimi. She, however, denied having been literally caught with her pants down. She said on the night in question, she was indeed with Muvhimi who had later dropped her near her house.

Under cross-examination, she confirmed that Muonwa had phoned to try and verify the story but she had hanged up on him. Munhanga also confirmed her friendship with a number of people mentioned in the story as having been phoned to verify the story by Muonwa.

Mhlanga, Muonwa and Nyarota are being represented by Media Lawyers Network member Prayers Chitsa, Kwekwe lawyer James Magodora and MISA-Zimbabwe Legal Officer Wilbert Mandinde.

The trial is expected to continue on 6 May 2008.

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