Freedom For Arrested Journalist Placed On Hold

A court in Zimbabwe has further delayed passing a ruling in a matter in which Ubuntu Times correspondent Jeffrey Moyo is seeking refusal of remand.

The ruling which was expected to be passed between July 22 and July 25 has been indefinitely postponed and the matter remanded to September 10.

Moyo’s lawyer, Doug Coltart, has said the postponement of his client’s ruling is a typical example of how the courts in Zimbabwe deal with politically sensitized matters.

“We are yet to receive the ruling and the matter has been remanded to September 10. We were anticipating the ruling between July 22 and July 25 but the court has not communicated to us what has prompted the delay,” said Coltart.

Presiding magistrate Rachel Mukanga previously told the court that Moyo is facing serious charges that could see him spend a decade in prison if convicted.

According to the State, Moyo allegedly contravened the country’s immigration laws in May when he facilitated the accreditation and entry of two foreign journalists without following due procedure.

He has denied the charges.

Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana recently told this publication that Moyo is neither a victim of political persecution nor free expression but should face the law.

A recent report showed that Zimbabwe has dropped two places on the World Press Freedom Index from number 129 to 131.