16 ZimLive editor Mduduzi Mathuthu CREDIT: MDUDUZI MATHUTHU via TWITTER alleging that FP du Toit Transport employees had tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Two journalists from the Namibian Sun and The Namibian respectively, were assaulted by President Geingob’s security personnel at the Windhoek Central Hospital, while he officially opened the Covid-19 isolation facility. The two journalists have since filed an assault case against the police VIP Protection Directorate. In Zimbabwe, despite the recognition as essential service providers, up to 52 journalists were harassed, assaulted, arrested and detained, in many instances beyond the legally prescribed time, during the nationwide lockdown and the Covid-19 period. In April 2020, the High Court in Zimbabwe ordered police to desist from arresting, detaining or interfering with the work of journalists providing coverage during the Covid-19 lockdown, in response to a petition filed by MISA Zimbabwe and Panashe Makufa, a journalist, who were challenging continued police harassment and arrest of journalists while on duty. The judge directed the police to inform the other enforcers of the lockdown to recognise the validity of the 2019 media press card, and allow journalists to do their work. Other notable cases include freelance journalist Terence Sipuma, who was reportedly assaulted by members of the army and the police at the Kuwadzana roundabout in Harare while on his way to Chegutu to report on the Covid-19 lockdown. The journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was first arrested on 20 July 2020 for allegedly inciting people to participate in a gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of peace, bigotry or alternatively incitement to commit public violence. He was released from custody by the High Court on 2 September 2020; but was arrested again in November on charges of obstructing justice. These cases are still pending before the courts. It is said that Chin’ono had investigated and uncovered allegations of corruption in the procurement of Covid-19 equipment. In a related incident, police raided the home of ZimLive editor, Mduduzi Mathuthu, who they accused of promoting violence. Mathuthu immediately went into hiding, but the police arrested his relatives in an effort to smoke him out. His nephew, Tawanda Muchehiwa was abducted by state security agents and tortured