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Journalists' statement on contempt of court order by Shamu & Charamba
Stanley Gama, Valentine Maponga, Stanley Kwenda & Jealousy Mawarire
June 08, 2009

The following Statement is released by Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) on behalf of its clients Stanley Gama, Valentine Maponga, Stanley Kwenda & Jealousy Mawarire

Statement on ongoing contempt of court by the Minister and Permanent Secretary of Media, Information and Publicity

On 5 June 2009 we secured a crucial order from the High Court in Harare. This Order barred the Minister of Media, Information and Publicity (Webster Shamu), and his permanent secretary (George Charamba), as well as any others purporting to act on their behalf and with their authority, from involving themselves in issues relating to our attendance in Victoria Falls to cover the Comesa Heads of State and Government Summit. The two, and others purporting to act on their behalf and with their authority, were also barred by the High Court from interfering in any way with our practice of journalism.

The Order was made in open court by the Honourable Mr. Justice Patel in the presence of, amongst others, the Minister and permanent secretary's legal counsel of record, Mrs. Virginia Mabhiza from the office of the Attorney General. Further, the Order was formally served on them later in the evening of 5 June 2009 by our lawyer of record, Mr. Selby Hwacha.

Neither the Minister, nor his permanent secretary can therefore pretend to be unaware of the existence of this Order and its contents.

In accordance with this Order, we travelled to Victoria Falls to cover the Comesa Heads of State and Government Summit. The Order clearly stated that we should register with the Comesa Secretariat and would then be free to cover the Summit proceedings. However, since we arrived here we have faced one hurdle after another. We have been denied entry into the hotel hosting the Summit. We have been cast aside by the Comesa Secretariat, which says it is acting on instructions to only "accredit" those journalists whose names appear on a list provided by the Minister and the permanent secretary. This is inspite of them having been made aware of the Order, whose contents are clear.

We will make attempts once again today to register to cover the proceedings. If we are unsuccessful, we will take action against all and any individuals and organisations who have defied and are still defying an Order of the High Court of Zimbabwe and thus setting back the agenda for media freedom and freedom of expression in this country.

Defiance of court orders with impunity has blighted our country for many years now, and as soon as we return to Harare, we shall be instructing our lawyers to initiate and vigorously pursue contempt of court proceedings against Webster Shamu and George Charamba.

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