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Press gagged in Mugabe ‘bombing’ trial

MISA Zimbabwe Media Alert
17 Feb, 2016
  The High Court on 12 February 2016 barred the media from covering proceedings in the case of four men including two soldiers charged with plotting to bomb President Robert Mugabe’s dairy farm. The Daily News reported that the director of military intelligence sought and got the gag order, which was presented before provincial magistrate […]

 

The High Court on 12 February 2016 barred the media from covering proceedings in the case of four men including two soldiers charged with plotting to bomb President Robert Mugabe’s dairy farm.

The Daily News reported that the director of military intelligence sought and got the gag order, which was presented before provincial magistrate Vakayi Chikwekwe during the trial on 16 February 2016.

Zimbabwe People’s Front political party president Owen Kuchata (34), Borman Ngwenya (30), Solomon Makumbe (29) and Silas Pfupa (37), are facing treason charges.

The group of four allegedly established a militia training base in Mapinga, Mashonaland West Province, where they planned to commit terror acts, sabotage and banditry.

However, magistrate Chikwekwe is arguing that the application for the order issued by the High Court should have been made in the lower court before being taken to the higher court.

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The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) was founded in 1992. Its work focuses on promoting, and advocating for, the unhindered enjoyment of freedom of expression, access to information and a free, independent, diverse and pluralistic media.

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