Journalist Pearlagia Mupurwa of Zimbo Live has been arrested and detained under the Cyber and Data Protection Act for allegedly “transmitting false data,” the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) has confirmed.
According to ZUJ, Mupurwa was arrested following a complaint by businessman Steven Mutumhe, who claimed there were inaccuracies in her interview with local community members.
The union stressed that interviewing communities and reporting their statements is a core journalistic function, not a criminal offence. Part of the statement reads:
“Members of society who wield power and influence should not weaponise the law to intimidate journalists, silence public interest reporting, and shield themselves from public scrutiny.
“Using criminal charges to resolve disputes over alleged defamation is a clear abuse of the law and a direct attack on media freedom, freedom of expression, and the public’s right to know.
“The Cyber and Data Protection Act, in its current form, gags the media and violates constitutional rights.
“It must be urgently reviewed and aligned with democratic principles. Disputes over reputational harm belong in civil courts, not police cells.”
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