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Journalist arrested while reporting death threat
MISA-Zimbabwe
February 19, 2013

A journalist working for privately-owned publication NewsDay, Obey Manayiti, on Monday, 18 February 2013 reportedly received a death threat from suspended Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial youth chairperson, Tawanda Mukodza. However, Manayiti was arrested while reporting the threat to the police.

The incident occurred in the eastern border town of Mutare, Manicaland's provincial capital. The reasons for the death threat against Manayiti could not be immediately established.

Zanu-PF is a political party led by Zimbabwe president, Robert Mugabe.

In a remarkable twist of fate, the Mutare-based journalist was arrested at the city's Central Police station where he had gone to report the death threat.

Details obtained so far suggest that Mukodza had also filed an earlier complaint, claiming the journalist had insulted him. This claim led to Manayiti being arrested and detained at the police station on charges of criminal insult.

He is expected to appear in court Tuesday, 19 February 2013. Updates to follow.

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