The M&G Centre for Investigative Journalism condemns the arrest of Owen Gagare, a former intern of ours, together with Zimbabwe Independent editor Dumisani Muleya by the Zimbabwean authorities.

The two were arrested over a story pertaining to the possibility of a post-election pact between the opposition party and the securocrats in the Zimbabwean military.

Despite their release from police cells, the spurious charges against them remain. These charges, of “publishing falsehoods prejudicial to the State” are arbitrary, authoritarian and out of step with any conception of freedom of expression.

Arresting journalists for doing their work is in flagrant violation of press freedom, the public’s right to know and fundamentally undermines the rule of law.

MGCIJ therefore calls for the removal of these charges and for a renewed commitment to press freedom by the Zimbabwean authorities.