The Zimbabwe Republic Police has confirmed arresting journalist Hopewell Chin’ono and opposition party leader Jacob Ngarivhume.
There were earlier reports that Hopewell Chin’ono had been arrested after the arrest of Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume.
Police have said the two have been arrested on charges of inciting public violence. They are currently in police custody and will appear in court.
In a statement, the Police national spokesperson Paul Nyathi said the duo has been arrested “in connection with allegations of contravening Section 187 (1) (a) as read with Section 37 (1) (a) of the Criminal Law (Codification & Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, “incitement to participate in public violence.”
At the time the statement was released on Twitter by the Ministry of Information, Chin’ono’s lawyer Douglas Coltart said they had not been informed of the charges against the investigative journalist.
He wrote:
I am with Hopewell Chin’ono at Harare Central police station right now and I can confirm that, more than 5 hours after his arrest, he has still not been formally charged yet and has not been informed of the charges against him. So this is news to him and to us as his lawyers.
The statement released by the Ministry of Information was criticised for being written 21 July when it was released on the 20th.
Earlier on Monday, prominent lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa, said Hopewell Chin’ono had been “abducted” from his home after state security agents broke glass front door to gain access.
Chin’ono recorded the moment the agents entered his room and ordered him to put down his phone.
Chin’ono is credited for exposed the Drax procurement scandal which became popularly known as covidgate.
The scandal sucked in President Emmerson Mnangagwa‘s son Collins and Obadiah Moyo who was arrested and subsequently relieved of his duty as Health Minister.
Chin’ono’s arrest has been condemned by the United States embassy and the European Union in Zimbabwe.
Read: Video: Hopewell Chin’ono house raided, abducted by police, state security agents