Newsmen arrested in Zimbabwe

13 May 2009 - 02:00
By unknown

HARARE - The editor and news editor of one of Zimbabwe's main independent newspapers have been arrested and jailed over-night after publishing the names of secret agents involved in the abduction of opposition and civic activists.

HARARE - The editor and news editor of one of Zimbabwe's main independent newspapers have been arrested and jailed over-night after publishing the names of secret agents involved in the abduction of opposition and civic activists.

Lawyers and colleagues said Vincent Kahiya, editor of the Zimbabwe Independent, and Constantine Chimakure were interrogated before being taken to cells at the Harare central police station on Monday.

"I spoke to them late this afternoon and they said they were going to spend the night inside," a senior colleague who asked not to be named said. "Their cellphones were off."

The arrest is expected to stoke local and international criticism of the repressive actions by cops in spite of the establishment three months ago of a government of national unity. - Sapa