Govt Has Nothing To Do With Hopewell Chin'ono's Arrest - Ziyambi

Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Ziyambi Ziyambi said the government has nothing to do with the arrest of freelance journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, who has been at the forefront in exposing corruption by State actors.

Speaking in the Senate during the questions and answer session on Thursday, Ziyambi said it was not proper to bring to Parliament Chin’ono’s case as it was before the courts. Said Ziyambi:

The arrest of the so-called journalist Chin’ono was done by the law enforcement agents, and discussing or bringing such cases which are before the courts in parliament is uncalled for, let the justice system deal with his case and avoid dragging the government into it.

President Mnangagwa is on record speaking strongly against corruption and anyone wanting will be dealt with accordingly.

Ziyambi was responding to a question by Manicaland Senator Douglas Mwonzora (MDC-Alliance) who had asked him why the government had arrested Chin’nono who has for long been known for exposing corruption.

Armed police officers arrested Chin’ono after they broke into his Chisipite home on Monday mid-morning.

Chin’ono was arrested on allegations of inciting public violence using microblogging site Twitter.

However, legal commentators say Chin’ono’s arrest was unlawful because the two police officers who testified so far did not prove that they had reasonable suspicion that he had committed an offence.

More: ZBC News