MISA-Zimbabwe Media Alert
27 June 2016
Freelance journalists Garikai Chaunza, Christopher Mahowe, James Jemwa, Khumbulani Zamuchiya and Edward Gweshe were arrested in Harare on 26 June 2016 while covering protests against Vice President Phelekezela Mphoko’s continued stay at the Rainbow Towers Hotel.
The journalists who were detained at Harare Central Police Station were later released without charges on the same day after MISA-Zimbabwe dispatched Media Lawyers Network lawyer Obey Shava to secure their release.
MISA-Zimbabwe position
MISA-Zimbabwe condemns in the strongest terms the unlawful arrests of journalists conducting their lawful professional duties.
The police’s wanton actions of impunity are blatantly unconstitutional given that the journalists in question are duly accredited by the Zimbabwe Media Commission which is a constitutional body.
This comes barely a week after police arrested journalist Paidamoyo Muzulu who was covering protests by activists who were conducting a vigil in Harare’s Africa Unity Square.
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