Appendix: Media Violations Statistics 2017
ARRESTED/QUESTIONED/
SUMMONED
Victim/Concerned Party
Issue
Newsday editor Wisdom Mdzungairi Charged with insulting or undermining the president
and reporter Richard Chidza
following publication of a story pertaining to President
Robert Mugabe’s health.
Newsday editor Wisdom Mdzungairi Questioned by police in Harare following publication of a
and reporter Everson Mushava.
story arising from a press conference held by former
Zanu PF Mashonaland Central youth leader Godfrey
Tsenengamu. During the press conference on 20
February 2017, Tsenengamu allegedly urged war
veterans to push President Robert Mugabe out of office.
Journalists Garikai Chaunza and Arrested by the police while covering the invasion of
Frank Chikowore.
Lesbury Farm in Manicaland Province.

Date
3
March
2017

Newsday journalists Obey Manayiti,
Shepherd Tozvireva, Abigail
Mutsikidze and their driver, Raphael
Phiri.

27 July
2017.

Newsday
Nyangani

journalist

Arrested and assaulted by the police on their way to
Harare Central police station after taking pictures of
skirmishes between the police and members of the
public in Harare’s central business district.

20
June
2017

22
June
2017

Kenneth Arrested on 2 October 2017 in the eastern border town 2 October
of Mutare and charged with criminal nuisance after 2017.
writing a story in which then First Lady Grace Mugabe
donated second-hand underwear.

THREATENED
Zanu PF political commissar Charged at a reporter from The Herald accusing the paper 24 March 2017.
and Minister of Local of pursuing a factional agenda during a field day in Mount
Government
Saviour Darwin in Mashonaland Central Province.
Kasukuwere
Home Affairs Minister Ignatius Threatened “decisive action to deal a telling blow” against 24 September
Chombo.
the press and social media for spreading alarm and 2017
despondency on the obtaining socio-economic and political
environment.
Ministers Patrick Chinamasa, Threatened to tighten control of social media claiming this 27 September
Mike Bimha and Chris was the cause of shortages of basic commodities and bank 2017
Mushowe
notes in Zimbabwe.

19

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