IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT UPDATE- ZIMBABWE

25 March 2003

Freelance journalist released

SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek

**Updates previous IFEX alert of 25 March 2003**

(MISA/IFEX) - On 24 March 2003, freelance journalist Stanley Karombo was
released on Z$5,000 (approx. US$6) bail. Karombo was arrested on 20 March at the
Mutare central police station at the instigation of Manicaland provincial police
spokesperson Edmund Maingire. Karombo's lawyer, Peter Makombe, told
MISA-Zimbabwe that his client was arrested under the Access to Information and
Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA), for allegedly practicing journalism without
accreditation.

Karombo had gone to the police station to seek police comment about a story he
was working on. Under the AIPPA, it is a crime to practice journalism without
being accredited by the government-appointed Media and Information Commission.

Makombe said efforts to have Karombo released the week of his arrest proved
fruitless, as the police said they were under strict orders not to release
anyone arrested in the aftermath of the 18 and 19 March stay-away organised by
the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).

For further information, contact Zoe Titus or Kaitira Kandjii, Regional
Information Coordinator, MISA, Street Address: 21 Johann Albrecht Street,
Mailing Address; Private Bag 13386 Windhoek, Namibia, tel: +264 61 232975, fax:
+264 61 248016, e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected], Internet:
http://www.misa.org/

The information contained in this alert update is the sole responsibility of
MISA. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit MISA.
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