Journalist arrested and charged for publishing falsehoods
3 Oct, 2022
What happened
Journalist Hope Chizuzu was on 29 September 2022 arrested on charges of transmitting false data messages intending to cause harm in contravention of Section 164C of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as amended.
Chizuzu, who is a sports reporter, said he was reported to the police by complainants from the Board of the Dynamos Football Club.
Upon his arrest, Chizuzu was taken to Harare Central Police Station’s Commercial Crimes Unit, where the police recorded a warned and cautioned statement from him before being released.
He was advised that the police would summon him in due course to appear before the court on the aforementioned allegations.
The police also confiscated Chizuzu’s mobile phone and iPad, as part of the evidence.
Lawyer Jeremiah Bamu was deployed by MISA Zimbabwe under its Media Lawyers Network to attend to the matter.
Chizuzu is the third journalist to be arrested and charged this year for contravening Section 164C of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act as amended through the Cyber and Data Protection Act.
MISA's position
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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.
Latest media violations
Those affected:
Journalist Hope Chizuzu
Journalist Hope Chizuzu
Number affected:
1
1
Perpetrators:
Police Officers
Police Officers
Types of actors:
State
State
Location:
Harare
Harare