The Observatory has been informed about the arbitrary detention of
Hopewell Chin’ono (alias Daddy Hope), a freelance investigative journalist and filmmaker, who is very active in defending democracy, exposing State corruption and demanding transparency and accountability in the administration of public funds. Mr. Chin’ono exposed alleged corruption in the procurement of COVID-19 medical supplies[1].
On January 8, 2021, Hopewell Chin’ono was arrested at his home in Harare by police officers from the Law and Order Section, who took him to the Harare Central police station without any warrant. Mr. Chin’ono was then charged with “publishing or communicating false statements prejudicial to the State”, as defined in section 31(a) of the Zimbabwe’s Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, Chapter 9:23, for a tweet he wrote about the death of a child who had allegedly been beaten by the police, while enforcing new lockdown measures[2]. If convicted, Mr. Chin’ono could face up to 20 years in prison. At the time of publication of this urgent appeal, Hopewell Chin’ono remains detained at Harare remand prison.