Media violations

High Court judge Justice Happious Zhou stayed proceedings of the trial of journalist Hopewell Chin’ono which was set to commence on 7 December 2020 on charges of inciting violence pending the determination of his review application.

Three journalists and three journalism students were on 3 December 2020 arrested in Harare’s dormitory town of Chitungwiza following a dragnet swoop by the police on a full council meeting of Chitungwiza Municipality.

Harare magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa on 27 November 2020 dismissed journalist Hopewell Chin’ono’s application for temporal variation of his bail conditions.

Freelance journalist Dumisani Zvandasara was on 26 November 2020 arrested in Kwekwe for using a 2019 Zimbabwe Media Commission-issued press card.

Freelance journalist Panashe Makufa was on 26 November 2020 arrested in Harare’s central business district while taking pictures of commuter transport problems.

Two journalists were on 24 November 2020 detained by soldiers from the Airforce of Zimbabwe in Gweru for about four hours.

Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was on 20 November 2020 granted bail by High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi following his appeal for bail on charges of defeating or obstructing the course of justice.

Ruling in the appeal for bail by detained journalist Hopewell Chin’ono will be ready on 20 November after High Court judge Justice Chitapi reserved ruling today upon hearing arguments by both the state and defence.

Detained journalist Hopewell Chin’ono appeared before High Court judge Justice Tawanda Chitapi today following his appeal for bail on charges of defeating or obstructing the course of justice.

Detained journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was denied bail by Magistrate Marehwanazvo Gofa on charges of obstructing or defeating the course of justice.