admin
Fungai Lupande : Court Reporter
The defence case for The Sunday Mail Editor Mabasa Sasa, investigations editor Brian Chitemba and reporter Tinashe Farawo was postponed to August 15. Harare magistrate Mr Tendai Mahwe adjourned the matter due to a busy schedule. The three were placed to their defence after their application for discharge was dismissed.They are facing charges of communicating or publishing false statements prejudicial to the State.
Prosecutor Ms Francesca Mukumbiri alleges that following the killing of 22 elephants by poachers using suspected cyanide poison, the accused published a story, “Top cop fingered in poaching saga” in their publication.
It is alleged that the trio knew that no assistant commissioner of the police was being investigated for being involved in the poaching of the elephants nor has ZRP made any arrest in connection with the crime.
Resultantly the publication of the alleged false statement was communicated nationally and internationally causing an outcry from the international community who support the tourism industry.
The trio is accused of publishing falsehoods that would adversely affect the tourism industry and the economy.
Online Reporter