News / National
Diamond journalist spared weekend in jail, out on $20 bail
09 Mar 2012 at 09:02hrs | Views
A NewsDay reporter, Moses Matenga who was on Wednesday arrested for having a suspicions stone at Marange Resources' diamond fields has been spared a weekend in jail after granted a $20 bail.
Matenga appeared at a Mutare court before magistrate Anniah Ndiraya today facing charges of illegally possessing a precious stone and was not asked to plead.
Matenga is to appear on March 16.
On Thursday, Alpha Media Holdings Editor-in-Chief Vincent Kahiya seemed to dishonour Matenga after he suggested that the reporter defying the company's instructions.
"We are perfectly aware that the diamond fields are high security areas and our editors who have been there on facilitated trips understand this.
"Therefore, prior to his departure to Marange, Matenga was thoroughly briefed by Newsday Editor Constantine Chimakure about the security arrangements there and expected mode of behavior.
"We are still gathering information about how Matenga came to have the stone. Mining officials at Marange Resources have been very helpful in keeping us updated."
It is not clear whether his company would take independent action on him.
Matenga was part of a Civil Society tour of the Chiadzwa diamond mining area. However he Matenga was found with a brown stone in one of his pockets tucked in his wallet.
It is allegedly that a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) captured him picking the stone.
Matenga said the stone was his as he often carry it around with him.
Matenga appeared at a Mutare court before magistrate Anniah Ndiraya today facing charges of illegally possessing a precious stone and was not asked to plead.
Matenga is to appear on March 16.
On Thursday, Alpha Media Holdings Editor-in-Chief Vincent Kahiya seemed to dishonour Matenga after he suggested that the reporter defying the company's instructions.
"We are perfectly aware that the diamond fields are high security areas and our editors who have been there on facilitated trips understand this.
"We are still gathering information about how Matenga came to have the stone. Mining officials at Marange Resources have been very helpful in keeping us updated."
It is not clear whether his company would take independent action on him.
Matenga was part of a Civil Society tour of the Chiadzwa diamond mining area. However he Matenga was found with a brown stone in one of his pockets tucked in his wallet.
It is allegedly that a Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) captured him picking the stone.
Matenga said the stone was his as he often carry it around with him.
Source - Byo24News
