By Jane Mlambo| Incarcerated journalist Hopewell Chin’ono has stated his reluctance to apply for bail following his arrest on charges of communicating falsehoods, saying he would rather spend more time in prison while challenging the unconstitutional law used to arrest him in the Constitutional Court.
In a statement issued from Chikurubi Maximum prison, Chin’ono said he believes prioritising his immediate liberty at the expense of the media’s right to free speech would be equal to selling out.
“I have a choice today to immediately apply for bail and go home, or to fight the constitutionality of the law used to charge, and as a result, stay in prison for a couple more weeks whilst doing so,” said Chin’ono.
He added that he is ready to fight against the unconstitutional law used to charge him and ensure that other journalists and citizens would not be victims of non-existent laws.
“I have chosen to fight the use of this unconstitutional law used against me. If I chose to take bail without exposing the use of unconstitutional laws, the same law will be used against other journalists and ordinary citizens to muzzle them, as has happened to Job Sikhala,” he said.
The firebrand journalist said he will challenge the unconstitutionality of the law used to arrest him as a way to measure judiciary independence especially of the magistrates court which accepted a charge that was struck down by the High Court.
“It is also important to challenge the use of this unconstitutional law so that the world can see where our judiciary stand in regards to the rule of law, especially the magistrates court,
“This law was struck down by the highest court of Zimbabwe and all the judges on the bench the day it was struck down concurred without dissent,” said Chin’ono.
Meanwhile, Chin’ono has accused prison officers of disregarding court orders made to protect him from health risks while in detention.
According to Chin’ono, prison officers were ordered to provide him with hot or warm water for bathing, clean blankets and running water which have been disregarded.
“On the 9th of January the court ordered that Prisons provide Hopewell Chin’ono with hot/warm water for bathing purposes, Chikurubi prison refused to follow the order
“The court ordered the prisons to provide Hopewell Chin’ono with clean running water for drinking purposes and flushing the toilet, Chikurubi prison failed to do that
“Prison is supposed to provide clean blankets, Chikurubi prison failed to do that,” said Chin’ono.