HARARE – Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono was re-arrested on Tuesday facing two charges of contempt of court and defeating or obstructing the course of justice.
Police said Chin’ono made Twitter comments about Chief Justice Luke Malaba and his alleged interference in criminal matters against opposition activists and rights defenders which “impaired the dignity, reputation and authority of the court.”
The specific tweet complained of said: “The day I was denied bail in July, Chief Justice Malaba was seen leaving the magistrates court in the morning. The judge’s letter (Justice Erica Ndewere) says that he tells magistrates howto rule. The same happened when I was denied bail at the High Court. How can we go to courts which cook judgements?”
Chin’ono, of Chisipite in Harare, is also accused of “confirming through his Twitter handle that he is in secret and unlawful communication with members of the National Prosecuting Authority, an institution that is prosecuting him” for incitement of violence following his arrest earlier in July.
Police said there was a “real risk that he is manipulating the process and defeating or obstructing the course of justice.”
“A corruption investigation has been launched to determine the true nature and extent of collaboration between the suspect and prosecutors in the NPA,” said Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi, the national police spokesman.
The 49-year-old who was arrested at home is expected in court on Wednesday to face the latest charges.
