Flata Kavinga's lawyer said the police are contemplating charging him with practicing journalism without accreditation.
(MISA/IFEX) – On 11 October, 2010, Flata Kavinga, a journalist with the “Midlands Observer” in Kwekwe, was released without charges after spending more than 24 hours in custody.
His lawyer, Valentine Mutatu, a member of MISA-Zimbabwe’s Media Lawyers Network, confirmed Kavinga’s release at 16:00 hrs. Mutatu, however, said the police were still contemplating charging him under Section 78 of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). The section deals with practicing journalism without accreditation.
Kavinga was asked to report to the police station with his accreditation card or proof of accreditation by 14 October.
BACKGROUND:
Kavinga was arrested and detained on 10 October around 11:00 hrs while covering a demonstration by St. Bernard Roman Catholic church members against the parish’s priest.
The police allegedly asked him to stop taking pictures of the demonstration but he continued covering it, leading to his arrest and the confiscation of his camera.