News / National
Zimbabwe police swoop on media house
07 Dec 2011 at 00:49hrs | Views
POLICE yesterday seized copies of compact discs and DVDs believed to contain subversive material after raiding Media Monitoring Project of Zimbabwe offices.
MMPZ co-ordinator Andrew Moyse was arrested and later released after police recorded his statement at Harare Central Police Station.
Moyse's arrest and the raid on the MMPZ offices followed the arrest of three other officials from the organisation on Monday.
MMPZ's officers Fadzai December, Molly Chimhanda and Gilbert Mabusa were arrested in Harare on allegations of holding a meeting in Gwanda without notifying the police.
They were yesterday taken to Gwanda for further investigations.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena said preliminary investigations on the three led to the arrest of Moyse and the office raid in Milton Park.
"We had information that they had some CDs and DVDs which we believe contain material which could be used to incite members of the public," he said.
"We have seized a substantial number (of CDs and DVDs) which we are studying. These are only preliminary investigations."
Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena said December, Chimhanda and Mabusa were still assisting them with investigations.
MMPZ said in a statement that the police, who had a search warrant, seized 127 DVDs and CD copies from the offices.
It said Moyse was picked up by five police officers at around 11am.
"The officers were armed with a search warrant and proceeded to search MMPZ offices for material which comprises compact disks containing Gukurahundi information," said MMPZ.
The arrest of Moyse drew widespread reaction from organisations associated with MMPZ.
Pilar Valle-Lersundi from South Africa said the incident was unfortunate.
"I am really sorry to hear that Andy has been arrested. This is a very unfortunate thing to happen and shows to what extent the situation is worsening," he said.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition regional information and advocacy co-ordinator Mr Dewa Mavhinga said he was "sorry to hear this, we shall make noise from here for this persecution to end".
The Southern Africa Litigation Centre and the OSISA Human Rights Defenders Programme said it would render "any assistance including evacuation, if needed".
Moyse, a former editor of the Standard newspaper, is likely to be charged with contravening Section 31 (a) (ii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, for communicating or publishing falsehoods.
December, Chimhanda and Mabusa are being charged under POSA for failing to give notice of a meeting and also under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for "participating in gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotry".
MMPZ co-ordinator Andrew Moyse was arrested and later released after police recorded his statement at Harare Central Police Station.
Moyse's arrest and the raid on the MMPZ offices followed the arrest of three other officials from the organisation on Monday.
MMPZ's officers Fadzai December, Molly Chimhanda and Gilbert Mabusa were arrested in Harare on allegations of holding a meeting in Gwanda without notifying the police.
They were yesterday taken to Gwanda for further investigations.
Chief police spokesperson Senior Assistant Commissioner Wayne Bvudzijena said preliminary investigations on the three led to the arrest of Moyse and the office raid in Milton Park.
"We had information that they had some CDs and DVDs which we believe contain material which could be used to incite members of the public," he said.
"We have seized a substantial number (of CDs and DVDs) which we are studying. These are only preliminary investigations."
Snr Asst Comm Bvudzijena said December, Chimhanda and Mabusa were still assisting them with investigations.
It said Moyse was picked up by five police officers at around 11am.
"The officers were armed with a search warrant and proceeded to search MMPZ offices for material which comprises compact disks containing Gukurahundi information," said MMPZ.
The arrest of Moyse drew widespread reaction from organisations associated with MMPZ.
Pilar Valle-Lersundi from South Africa said the incident was unfortunate.
"I am really sorry to hear that Andy has been arrested. This is a very unfortunate thing to happen and shows to what extent the situation is worsening," he said.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition regional information and advocacy co-ordinator Mr Dewa Mavhinga said he was "sorry to hear this, we shall make noise from here for this persecution to end".
The Southern Africa Litigation Centre and the OSISA Human Rights Defenders Programme said it would render "any assistance including evacuation, if needed".
Moyse, a former editor of the Standard newspaper, is likely to be charged with contravening Section 31 (a) (ii) of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, for communicating or publishing falsehoods.
December, Chimhanda and Mabusa are being charged under POSA for failing to give notice of a meeting and also under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act for "participating in gathering with intent to promote public violence, breaches of the peace or bigotry".
Source - TH
