Zimbabwe: EDITOR AND JOURNALISTS ARRESTED

24 MAY 2002

EDITOR AND JOURNALISTS ARRESTED

Bornwell Chakaodza the Editor of The Standard and his senior reporter Farai
Mutsaka, were arrested for the third and second time respectively, in a
space of two weeks. The two were charged of having written a false story
over "impeding" personnel changes at the state run Newspaper Company,
Zimpapers and the national broadcaster, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting
Corporation (ZBC).

Chakaodza and Mutsaka were briefly detained at the Harare Central police
station where they were questioned and released. The Standard issue on 12
may, wrote that Information Minister Jonathan Moyo was contemplating making
editorial changes to the state run newspaper group, Zimpapers and the ZBC.
The story alleged that new appointment would be made according to Moyo's
preferences. Moyo dismissed the story as false the following day and accused
the paper of deliberately lying. The Two were charged under section 80 of
the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

The lawyer for the two journalists, Linda Cook from Atherstone and Cook said
the police recorded a warned and cautioned statement in her presence.
"We believe the charges raised today are frivolous," she said.

The two journalists denied the charge pointing out that the story concerns
a public body that is governed by public interest. Chakaodza accused Moyo of
abusing his office and the police to settle personal vendettas against
journalists.
"The police are being used by Jonathan Moyo to settle his personal scores in
a very ridiculous and frivolous manner. It is a waste of time and resources
on the part of the police," said Chakaodza
Chakaodza once edited the state run paper, The Herald and was dismissed by
Moyo when the minister assumed office in July 2000.
END