Zimbabwean journalist to be tried for 'abuse'

HARARE - Zimbabwean prosecutors said on Wednesday a trial date would be set next month for a journalist with The Zimbabwean newspaper charged with abusing journalistic privilege by publishing a report stating that army generals had asked President Robert Mugabe to anoint a successor to ease the savage infighting in the fractured ruling Zanu (PF) party.

A Harare prosecutor told the Magistrates Court the state would set a trial date for Gift Phiri, the chief reporter with independent London-based weekly, at his next remand hearing on June 20.

The Zimbabwean published a story in December citing a meeting of the Joint Operations Command (JOC) held ahead of the ruling party's December conference where the heads of the CIO, police, army and prisons indicated they were gravely concerned with the infighting in the ruling party and that Mugabe's failure to anoint successor was fuelling apprehension in the party. The generals stated they were amenable to the idea of a serving or retired general coming in as a successor.

Followed up

Several international news media followed up on the story and the issue became a topical issue at the Goromonzi Convention, where the widening crevices emerged after a retired general, Solomon Mujuru blocked Mugabe's plan to illegally extend his tenure.

Phiri was arrested on April 1, tortured and later charged over the story under a tough media law widely seen as targeting private media critical of Mugabe's rule.

The prosecutor indicated the State had completed investigations and had obtained sworn affidavits from the generals.

Phiri's lawyer had indicated at the last remand hearing that he was going to apply for refusal of further remand if no trial date was given.

"A provisional trial date will be issued at the next remand hearing," said the prosecutor.
The State acceded to a request by Phiri that there be a variation of his reporting conditions. Since his arrest, Phiri had been reporting three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) to the Law and Order Section of the Harare Central Police Station.

He has been allowed to report only Mondays and Fridays until his next remand hearing.

Lodged application, but…

Phiri is due in the magistrates court again on June 4 for trial in a related case of practising journalism without official accreditation, although he had lodged an application with the Media and Information Commission chairman Tafataona Mahoso, who had not yet responded to the application.

Under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act, a journalist is allowed to practise while the MIC considers the applicant's papers.

Under the media law, journalists can face fines of up to Z$100,000 or up to two years in jail if they are found guilty of publishing "falsehoods" or practising journalism without accreditation.

Mugabe's government has been accused of cracking down on journalists since March when the private press started exposing government's intolerance and repressive inclinations.

A cameraman who provided footage of battered opposition leaders after the March 11 debacle has been murdered. Police say they are still investigating the case.
Several other journalists have been arrested and assaulted while in police custody.

Article courtesy of The Zimbabwean