via CIO bonus row: Reporters in court – NewZimbabwe 07/01/2016
TWO News Day journalists arrested and charged with publishing falsehoods are now expected in court Friday after a planned hearing for Thursday was aborted at the last minute.
Lawyers representing the two Nqaba Matshazi (Deputy Editor) and Xolisani Ncube (reporter) told NewZimbabwe.com that the decision to appear in court Thursday was reversed when they were on their way to Harare Magistrate’s court.
“We were on our way to the courts and from nowhere we were made to return to the Harare Central Police station upon which we were told that our clients will go to court Friday morning,” the lawyers sent text messages to NewZimbabwe.com.
The attorneys however said that the state has not been opposing bail in the case.
The two scribes were arrested Thursday morning and charged with contravening Section 31 (1) (ii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for allegedly publishing falsehoods.
They had published a story on Wednesday claiming that while most civil servants went for the Christmas and New Year’s holidays penniless, members of the secret service received their salaries and bonuses on 21 December and 31 December respectively.
Matshazi, is being represented by Taona Nyamakura and Mzokhuthula Mbuyiso of Mtetwa & Nyambirai Legal Practitioners who are members of the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights Ncube.
AMH, the publishers of the News Day, are being represented by Sifikile Thabete.
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