The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) arrested and charged NewZimbabwe.Com journalist Leopold Munhende for publishing falsehoods in connection with a story he said ‘he did not write’.
Munhende was called by the police on Monday, detained for about five hours before he was charged for communicating falsehoods in a story published on NewZimbabweCom on 21 September 2022 claiming President Emmerson Mnangagwa had fled protesting Zimbabweans in New York.
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA Zimbabwe) deployed lawyer Chris Mhike to assist Munhende. The date for trial is yet to be set.
“NewZimbabwe.com journalist Leopold Munhende was on 28 November 2022 charged for publishing falsehoods in a story that the online platform published on 21 September 2022,” MISA said in a statement.
“Munhende was charged for contravening Section 31 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act. He is accused of communicating falsehoods prejudicial to the State.
“The police said they charged Munhende in his capacity as the editor of the publication. However, the law enforcement agents were informed that Munhende was in fact not the NewZimbabwe.com editor, they insisted on charging him for the crime.
It is further stated that the law enforcement agents specifically allege that Munhende published an article on NewZimbabwe.com that Mnangagwa had fled protesting Zimbabweans in New York. The article said dozens of aides had to shield the Zanu PF leader at the airport.
“The police said Munhende knew or realised that there was a real risk or possibility that his actions or words may adversely affect the defence or economic interests of Zimbabwe.
“In the warned and cautioned statement, Munhende denied the allegations, and questioned why the police arrested and charged him when he was neither the author of the article, publisher nor the editor of NewZimbabwe.com.
“Munhende was released at 17:15 hours, after about five hours of interrogation,” Misa said in their statement
If anybody, ZANU PF needs to be arrested for that crime.
Leave our journalist
Sean Chamvari Samuwi second republic scores own goals , it’s police boss working for chihuri to undermine our democracy , Police zw is working against government by arresting ccc and opposition figures , Not arresting thugs from zanu rebel g40 , police is problem Im sure Ed wants to join commonwealth and wants sanctions to go , Police zw is a shame , followed by the magistrates courts , And Npa , zifa , Harare city council , to mention but a few rogue institutions , Ed president must put these under scrutiny ,
But iye haana kutiza here kwacho
Wonderful
Tsvee kubata ma armed robbers
How many falsehoods have we heard from ZANUPF leadership ranging from swimming pools in Mbare and zero loadshedding. Has anyone been arrested for these lies?
kungoonererwawo zvenyu nesocial media but zvana zvinosara zvisina mabambo mukumajeri isu tichingoti God will answer you bro
Pinias P Musenyereki There must be rule of law
Pinias P Musenyereki chokwadi chisingadiwe navazhinji
Moses Muchengi rules which always bend
Moses Muchengi kusungwa ikoko ndiyo rule of law yacho.Wasungwa unozvitaura izvozvo,Problem inoita most of us is assumption of knowledge of Zimbabwean law.Truely speaking mitemo haina kuchinjiwa this the reason vazhinji muchitwa sweet talked nemapoliticians mopinzwa munyatwa
Shumba Mushirivindi Masilo U are ignorant of law
Moses Muchengi you only know your law here on Facebook,Just go and say it to the courts and get the results of your knowledge
Shumba Mushirivindi Masilo Which law did you study. Iwe usingazivi kuti kune right to freedom of expression. Go back to school and properly study law.
Moses MuchengiMoses Muchengi so you alleg yourself to have studied law to waste your time lecturing lies on Facebook,Prove yourself physically in courts and stop selling flying birds
Shumba Mushirivindi Masilo uri mu Zanupf duzvi
Shumba Mushirivindi Masilo musatanyoko ndini ndadaro
Owethu Lele musatanyoko mwana wembwa kusaifunga.Munhu akasaiwirirana nezvaunoda ava zanu pakanyorwa zanu ndepapi burwa remunhu
Shumba Mushirivindi Masilo uri weZanu kufarira mafufu duzvi
Shumba Mushirivindi Masilo Majaira kudzvinyirira vanhu imi. Manje mwari havadhakwi. One day is one day. Laws must be applied without fear or favour tisingatarisi kuti uyu ndewebato ripi. One day u will pay for your sins
Changamire Dombo Chibatamatosi
Marmalade
Independence never liked US… tatadzeiko
Tinos Gwarumba America is a confused heap of power.Yakanyengera Ukraine kupinda pahonde.Now yava kuona kuti the costs exceed the anticipated returns yabva yati zii semukwasha akaita weti paruvato.Ngakunzi Zimbabwean yawana oil negas uwone kumirizika zvayakaita pa Libya
Akambotiza wanii
Mapurisa acho ayiveko hr kuNew york.
Zvamuchasungira vanhu makuhwa nhai vamupurisa
Uchashungurudzwa nekiti idzo shinga wangu
Right zvaiwana ngwarati
the journalist must share the same space with Sikhala in Chikurubi
Nemi mapurisa mutye Mwari mazvihwa muchatumwa kuno bata mai chibharo
Lezinja ziyanyanyisa imgodoyi yeZanu Pf kanti bona babotshwa kwenzenjani ngoba ngamasela bayabulala