24 March 2009

Alert

Journalist and rights activist Jestina Mukoko further remanded


Incident details

Jestina Mukoko

(MISA/IFEX) - Jestina Mukoko, the director of the Zimbabwe Peace Project, was on 20 March 2009 remanded to 9 April to allow the state to prepare its indictment papers and formerly charge her at the next remand date.

Defence lawyer Alec Muchadehama said a trial date should also be set, failing which the state should withdraw the matter and the court should refuse having her placed on further remand.

Muchadehama said the requirement for Mukoko, who is also a former news anchor with the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), to report to the police twice a week was unnecessary and should be relaxed.

Prosecutor Tawanda Zvekare, however, argued that Mukoko is properly on remand as she is on bail and dismissed the defence submission for the relaxation of her bail conditions.

However, Harare magistrate Memory Chigwaza said the court had taken note of the defence's concerns and remanded the accused to 9 April.



Source:

Media Institute of Southern Africa
21 Johann Albrecht Street
Private Bag 13386
Windhoek
Namibia
director (@) misa.org
Phone: +264 61 232975
Fax: +264 61 248016
 

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More on this case

Supreme Court verdict quashes case against human rights activist 30 September 2009 State concedes Mukoko's detention was illegal 6 July 2009 Jestina Mukoko granted bail; Shadreck Manyere rearrested, denied bail 7 May 2009 Journalist and rights activist Jestina Mukoko released after three months in detention 4 March 2009 Detained peace project director Jestina Mukoko to be transferred to clinic for medical treatment, following magistrate's ruling 18 February 2009 Journalists facing treason charges need medical attention before legal proceedings, say lawyers 6 January 2009 Abducted journalist and rights activist appears in court, faces possible death penalty on terrorist plot charge 29 December 2008 Prominent journalist and human rights activist kidnapped from her home 4 December 2008

Zimbabwe

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