Two gunman believed to have shot two Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA) officers in Chivhu on Saturday have been arrested about 20 kilometres from Chivhu Central Business District. The incident occurred after the assailants had approached the police post under the pretence of seeking assistance and later opened fire on the two ZNA officers. Before the latest development National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi gave an update on what had happened saying police had launched investigations into the matter. “We have an incident which occurred this afternoon (yesterday) at a police post close to the Chicken Inn food outlet in Chivhu, where two service officers were shot by an unknown assailant. “A suspect, who is yet to be identified, enter
Press freedom advocates in Zimbabwe have welcomed the release on bail of a reporter who is charged with stoking anti-government violence. But, they say the conditions placed on Hopewell Chin'ono violate his right to free expression. A court in Harare granted Chin'ono the bail late Wednesday, after four failed attempts and more than a month behind bars. He has been ordered not to post anything on social media. On Thursday, the Media Institute of Southern Africa said it welcomed the release of Hopewell Chin'ono on bail after more than six weeks at Chikurubi Maximum Prison. Tabani Moyo, the head of the media advocacy group in Zimbabwe, said Chin’ono’s bail conditions are too restrictive. “Hopewell is not free. He has been removed from custody but he i
Investigative journalist Hopewell Chin’ono on Wednesday night declared that his remand prison experience had emboldened his resolve to expose corruption saying he may have been gagged from twitter but will continue to write on Facebook. High Court judge justice Tawanda Chitapi on Wednesday set free Chin’ono after granting him Z$10,000 bail, ending 43 days of incarceration. Chin’ono who was released from remand prison on his fourth attempt at bail, was gagged from posting messages using his specific twitter handle. He was ordered to reside at given address and to report at a Zimbabwe Republic Police station two times a week until finalisation of his matter. “I remain strong,” Chin’ono, flanked by Jacob Ngarivhume, told
MDC Alliance vice-chairperson Job Sikhala was on Thursday denied bail by Harare Magistrate Lazini Ncube. Magistrate Ncube remanded Sikhala in custody to 17 September for routine remand. Sikhala was arrested on 21 August from his hiding place in Tynwald North, and charged with inciting public violence. Ncube ruled that Sikhala could not be granted bail as it took the police a long time to arrest him. Ncube further stated that Sikhala failed to submit himself to the police despite knowing that he was wanted for an interview. Sikhala’s lawyer Harrison Nkomo told reporters outside the court that they did not agree with the ruling and that Sikhala had instructed them to file an appeal with the High Court. The Zengeza West legislator is being represented by Advocate Eric Mati
Opposition politician Jacob Ngarivhume and award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin'ono were granted bail on Wednesday at their fourth attempt after being detained in July for calling for protests. In separate rulings, the High Court granted their appeals against the ruling of a lower court that had denied them bail, saying its judges had erred. Ngarivhume was ordered to pay a bond of 50,000 Zimbabwe dollars ($602) and Chin'ono ZW$10,000 ($120), and both must surrender their passports and report to the police three times a week. They have also been barred from tweeting. Charged with inciting violence, the high-profile pair head the list of government critics and opposition activists who have been arrested in recent months for voicing concern about Zimbabwe's deepening cr
Zimbabwean journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has been granted bail after being held in jail for more than a month on charges of inciting violence. Chin’ono’s application for bail was approved by a magistrate who stipulated that while he awaits trial he must not post on social media such as Facebook or Twitter. The charges against Chin’ono stem from the support he expressed on Twitter for an anti-government protest. Chin’ono had previously been denied bail three times and his lawyers say prison authorities forced him to mingle with other prisoners despite showing symptoms “consistent” with COVID-19. He has become ill in prison this week, according to his lawyers who say he is suffering from “a headache, fever and distorted taste,” sy
Incarcerated journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was Tuesday brought to Rotten Row Magistrates Court without the consent of his doctor who had told the Zimbabwe Prisons Security (ZPS) his client was seriously ill and showing symptoms of Covid-19. Chin’ono appeared before Magistrate Judge Ngoni Nduna who remanded the matter to 14 September. Speaking to the press, Chin’ono’s lawyer Douglas Coltart said the state has been told to make sure that a trial date should be there by September 14 otherwise Chin’ono would apply against being put on remand for too long. “Hopewell had been brought to Court against the advice of his doctor who spoke with the prison authorities yesterday given his condition and symptoms he was showing that it was ill advisable for him to
BAIL hearing for jailed MDC Alliance vice chair, Job Sikhala continued Tuesday with the firebrand politician taking to the witness’s stand before a Harare magistrate to deny both being violent and fugitive from justice. Sikhala is facing charges of inciting the public to commit violence. Said the opposition legislator in court, “The struggle for social justice has never been fought on the plane of violence and the State should not invite me to a territory which I’m not part of.” Sikhala told court he was a good bail candidate insisting he was once granted bail on subversion charges and never defaulted. The lawmaker said he never defaulted bail in any of the past 64 cases that have been brought against him by the state. Contrary to police allegations tha
Jailed prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono is reportedly unwell and has sent a distress call to his former lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa in a bid to get his doctor urgently. Chin’ono is said to have sent the message through MDC Alliance national deputy chairperson Job Sikhala who asked his lawyer Harrison Nkomo to immediately call Beatrice to advise her of the situation. Chin’ono has been since the 20th of July been in prison following his arrest for inciting public violence after he allegedly urged the citizenry to participate in the foiled 31 July anti-government protests. His lawyers say he has since then been surviving on biscuits and water after prison authorities barred them from getting warm food from outside. He has been cautious not to eat from prepared in pr
A Harare magistrate yesterday heard that opposition MDC Alliance vice-chair Job Sikhala was not a suitable candidate for bail as he had evaded police for over six weeks before he was eventually found hiding in the ceiling of a Tynwald, Harare house, which served as his hideout. Lead investigator Collen Makore told the court that they stormed the house last Friday armed with three AK47 assault rifles and a pistol after receiving reports that the opposition leader and his accomplices had machetes and were manufacturing petrol bombs at the property. “While inside, we searched and found nothing and as we were going out we saw footprints on the wall and a panel removed from the ceiling,” Makore said. “We then asked who it was, threatening to throw a smoke canister and
