POLICE Commissioner-General Godwin Matanga yesterday said
Statutory Instrument 83 (COVID-19 Regulations) does not classify the work of
journalists as an essential service, except those from the broadcasting
services and internet.
Matanga made the claims in court where he was battling a
challenge by the Media Institute of Southern Africa and journalist Panashe
Makufa challenging police brutality on journalists during the 21-day national
lockdown ordered by President Emmerson Mnangagwa to contain the spread of
COVID-19.
The police boss was cited as the first respondent, with the
Zimbabwe Media Commission cited as the second respondent.
In his response, Matanga said he had earlier on decided not
to challenge the appeal after he was advised by the police Press and
international relations department that the issue of arrests and detaining of
journalists had been resolved.
But in a sudden about-turn, Matanga said he only decided to
challenge the application, which he said was bad at law, after Attorney-General
Prince Machaya advised him that journalists not from the broadcasting services
and internet were not covered by the SI.
“However, my legal advisers, the Attorney-General’s Office,
have advised me that the journalists are not exempted from the lockdown,”
Matanga argued.
“Statutory Instrument 83 of 20 as read with SI 86 of 20 has
not exempted the journalists from the lockdown orders.”
He added: “The journalists, who have been exempted, are
those from broadcasting services and internet. It is clear that the first
applicant is not from any of the exempted journalists. All other journalists
remain bound by the lockdown and must remain indoors.”
The matter was heard by Justice Jacob Manzunzu. It was
rolled over to Monday, according to Chris Mhike, the lawyer representing the media
advocacy group.
“The parties have made their submissions. However, the
matter will proceed on Monday. I am not at liberty to go deeper into what has
been presented since the matter is pending,” Mhike said.
The country has recorded a number of cases of journalists
harassed and abused by the law enforcement agents while conducting their job.
Newsday
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