State of the media in Southern Africa - 2003 Matanda-Moyo said MISA-Zimbabwe claimed that it was not covered by the AIPPA and was therefore not compelled to register with the MIC. MIC Chairman Mahoso, however, described the court action by MISA-Zimbabwe as hostile. In MISA-Zimbabwe’s application to the High Court it requested a “declarator”, thereby asking the High Court to determine whether it is a mass media house and whether it qualifies for registration with the MIC. • DATE: October 1, 2003 PERSONS/INSTITUTIONS: Philemon Bulawayo, Margaret Chinowaita, Kelvin Jakachira, Sydney Saize, George Muzimba, Lawrence Chikuvira, Luke Tamborinyoka, Pedzisai Ruhanya, Fanuel Jongwe, Precious Shumba, Chengetai Zvauya, Conelias Mabasa, Conway Tutani, Gladwin Muparutsa, Darlington Makoni, Francis Mdlongwa VIOLATIONS: Detained (charged) O n October 1 2003, Zimbabwean police charged six journalists from The Daily News and The Daily News on Sunday for practicing without Media and Information Commission (MIC) accreditation. The six journalists are Philemon Bulawayo, Margaret Chinowaita, Kelvin Jakachira, Sydney Saize, George Muzimba and Lawrence Chikuvira. The six new charges brought to 15 the number of journalists from the Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe who have been charged for breaching the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). UPDATE • DATE: October 1, 2003 PERSONS/INSTITUTIONS: Daily News VIOLATIONS: Censored (legislation) O n October 1 2003, High Court Judge Tendai Uchena ordered the police to continue hold ing equipment they had confiscated from The Daily News. The judgement followed a September 17 The Daily News appeal to have its seized equipment returned. Judge Uchena did not give any reasons as to why the 160 computers can not be released by the police. Under the law, the equipment could eventually be forfeited to the state. • DATE: October 3, 2003 PERSONS/INSTITUTIONS: Cyril Zenda VIOLATIONS: Beaten O n October 3 2003, a vigilante group attacked Cyril Zenda, a senior journalist with the Financial Gazette newspaper, robbing him of 5000 Zimbabwe dollars (approx. US$6) and his mobile phone. Zenda told MISA-Zimbabwe that he was spotted by a vigilante group known as Chipangano began interrogating him about the message on a MISA-Zimbabwe t-shirt he was wearing. The t-shirt bore the message “Free My Voice: Free the Airwaves”. • DATE: October 13, 2003 PERSONS/INSTITUTIONS: Media in Zimbabwe VIOLATIONS: Legislation imbabwean President Robert Mugabe has signed into law the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Amendment Act (AIPPA Amendment), which seeks to correct certain anomalies that came to light after the law was promulgated in 2002. Z So This Is Democracy? 2003 126 Media Institute of Southern Africa