Zimbabwe whistleblower Hopewell Chin’ono freed on bail after 19 days in prison
Wilson Chipangura, Guest Reporter
HARARE — Freelance writer and government critic Hopewell Chin’ono has finally been granted bail by the Supreme Court, exactly 19 days after he was arrested for publishing a false story.
The whistleblower was arrested on January 8 for posting false information, his third arrest in six months.
Judge Davison Foroma ordered the 48-year-old to deposit Z$20,000 with a court clerk under the same bail conditions as for a previous court appearance, including surrendering his passport and presenting himself twice a week at his local police station.
Harare Judge Lazini Ncube initially refused to release him on bail, judging that he was likely to re-offend as he allegedly committed the offense on bail.
The current charges come after Chin’ono tweeted that a police officer beat and killed a child strapped to his mother’s back with a baton after video of the alleged incident went viral.
Police denied killing the child and said investigations showed the baby was alive.
MDC Alliance national vice chairman Job Sikhala and spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere were also arrested on similar charges. Mahere is out on bail while the verdict of Sikhala’s appeal against a lower court’s denial is expected next Monday.
Chin’ono was first arrested in July for inciting violent anti-government protests. He was arrested again in November for obstruction of justice.
