/ 10 February 1999

BAIL FOR TWO ZIM JOURNALISTS

TWO of the four Zimbawean journalists detained at the weekend were released on bail of Z$5000 each by the Harare Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. The two journalists, Mirror editor-in-chief Ibbo Mandaza and Mirror reporter Grace Kwinjeh were charged under the draconian Law and Order Maintenance Act of Ian Smith’s government for “publishing false information likely to cause alarm, fear and despondency”. Their trial begins on March 1. If convicted, they face a maximum of seven years in jail. The other two detained journalists, managing editors Fernando Goncalves and Farai Mungazi, were not charged but police said they are still investigating possible charges against them.