Zimbabwe 2015 violations & victories 21 May 29 June 28 May 2 July Willie Mponda, editor of The Sun weekly newspaper in Gweru was threatened with death by the secretary-general of Gweru City Council workers committee, Frank Muzorera and banned from attending council meeting. The Minister of Media, Information and Broadcasting Services Professor Jonathan Moyo threatened to use legal instruments to force journalists to observe ethical practices. This followed publication of a story by Newsday on 25 May 2015 alleging President Robert Mugabe owed businessperson Ray Kaukonde $30 million. 15 June Wilson Maposa, radio producer with Wezhira Community Radio Initiative in Masvingo was questioned by police over suspicion that the initiative owned broadcasting equipment. According to the Broadcasting Services Act (BSA), it is illegal to broadcast without a licence issued by the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe. 23 June Freelance journalist Patrick Chitongo was convicted and sentenced to an effective eight months imprisonment for contravening Section 72 (1) of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) by operating The Southern Mirror, (a newspaper) without a registration certificate. Two policemen from Masvingo Central police station’s Law and Order Section searched the offices of the Wezhira Community Radio Initiative in Masvingo to determine whether it was in custody of broadcasting equipment. A Bulawayo-based freelance photojournalist, Crispen Ndlovu, was assaulted by a group of police officers whom he had captured on camera assaulting a suspected cellphone thief. 8 August 2015 Journalists arrested while covering labour protest Journalists Obey Manayiti, Reagan Mashavave and Pindai Dube were also detained, threatened and released without charges by the police on 8 August 2015 while covering a demonstration in Harare by the ZCTU against job losses. 15 September Mugabe threatens media President Mugabe warned the media of rigid control while expressing his displeasure at the media coverage and interpretations of a planned launch of a new political party by former Vice President Joice Mujuru.