Zimbabwe
Journalist and two actors arrested during playPosted Oct 20 2007
James Jemwa, an independent journalist, and two actors were arrested September 28, 2007 during the performance of The Final Push, a satirical play about a failed protest in 2003 against President Robert Mugabe's government.
According to ZimOnline www.zimonline.co.za/Article.aspx?ArticleId=2103 plain-clothed police officers seated in the audience stormed backstage halfway through the production and arrested actors Slyvanos Mudzvova and Anthony Tongani. Jemwa, who was filming the play, was arrested when he asked police for an explanation.
Technical Director and producer Daniel Maphosa told ZimOnline that Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights has been asked for help in the situation, saying, “The arrest is a travesty of justice and an affront to freedom of expression. Our space for public debate and free expression is shrinking daily.”
According to Reporters Without Borders Jemwa, Mudzvova and Tongani are being held at Harare police headquarters and have not been charged.