ZIM JOURNALISTS’ TRIAL POSTPONED

THE trial of two Zimbabwean journalists facing charges of causing “alarm and despondency” by reporting an alleged coup plot against President Robert Mugabe was on Monday postponed until October. Magistrate Custom Kachambwa pushed the trial of editor Mark Chavunduka and chief reporter Ray Choto back to October 4, pending the outcome of their challenge to the constitutionality of the stiff Law and Order Maintenance Act. The two have petitioned the Supreme Court to declare the law unconstitutional. State prosecutors agree that the journalists’ trial is pointless until the outcome of the cahllenge is known. Chavunduka and Choto have also laid formal charges of assault and torture against the army and police.

01