Journalists Released After Spending 4 Days In Remand Prison
Two local journalists who were arrested by the police for allegedly violating COVID-19 restrictions while they interviewed three hospitalised MDC Alliance members have been granted ZWL$500 bail by a Mbare magistrate.
Frank Chikowore (40) of Voice of America’s Studio 7 and Samuel Takawira (29) of 263Chat were released after spending four days in remand prison.
They two, who were represented by Paidamoyo Saurombe and Tonderai Bhatasara from the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), were remanded to June 15 by magistrate Manase Musiiwa pending finalisation of the investigations.
According to the State, the duo sneaked into Parktown Medical Private Hospital in Waterfalls on Friday last week intending to interview Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova.
They had been barred from entering the hospital on Thursday by the hospital administrator in consultation with the police officers who were deployed at the hospital to ensure the safety of the victims.
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The State further alleged that the duo returned to the hospital on Friday and sneaked into the hospital ward without a reference letter from Stewart Ephraim the hospital administrator.
A detective, Collins Makore, allegedly observed that the reporters were not observing social distancing with the admitted victims as is required by the lockdown leading to their arrests.
