By Kudakwashe Vhenge
Journalists, Samuel Takawira and Frank Chikowore who were yesterday arrested for allegedly contravening national lockdown regulations have been denied bail and remanded in custody until Tuesday.
The two appeared at the Harare Magistrate Court today.
The duo, Takawira a journalist with 263 Chat and Chikowore who is a freelance journalist were doing a follow up story on the three MDC abductees.
Takawira and Chikowore are being accused of contravening section 11 [B] of S.I. of 2020, Public Health [Covid-19] Prevention Containment and Treatment at Parktown Hospital, Waterfalls, Harare when they were trying gain audience with the MDC trio, Joana Mamombe, Netsai Marowa and Cecilia Chimbiru who are admitted at the health facility.
It is in the state’s case that after a failed attempt on the 21st of May, the accused on the following day went to the Private Hospital where the It is alleged that they entered the said hospital without reference from the Acting Hospital Administrator.
A police detective is said to have followed the two and observed that they were not observing the social distance rule between themselves as well as with the admitted victims as required by the recently enacted Covid-19 provisions.
The two journalists are said to have been ordered to leave the ward where they refused to comply leading to their arrest.
The arrest of the two journalists has ignited outcries from media stakeholders over the stifling of media freedom as prescribed by the Constitution by state agents.
Speaking to Bustop TV, Young Journalists Association (YOJA) spokesperson Leopold Munhende lamented the insincerity of the state with regards to guaranteeing freedom of expression and basic media freedom.
“What Frank Chikowere and Samuel Takawira where simply trying to do was to do their job by interviewing honorable Joana Mamombe so that she shares what happens to her because everyone wants to hear the truth.
“They were arrested whilst on duty and it shows that the state especially the police do not care about these basic freedoms which are enshrined in the constitution,” said Munhende.
The two are set to appear in court on Tuesday 26 May.
