HARARE – Zimbabwean police on Monday charged a freelance photojournalist with contravening state security laws after he took pictures of six alleged coup plotters as they were being brought to court where they were appearing on a separate charge of attempting to escape from jail.

The journalist Andrison Manyere, who was being held at the notorious Harare Central police station last night, is expected to appear in court today to answer charges of allegedly contravening the government’s Public Order and Security Act (POSA) by taking pictures of a protected public building without permission.

Under the tough law, citizens including journalists must first seek clearance to film or take pictures of public buildings such as the courts, Parliament or the Munhumutapa offices of President Robert Mugabe.

Manyere was first apprehended by prison guards at the Harare magistrate’ court for shooting pictures of the six men who are accused of plotting to overthrow Mugabe, in a case many see as part of infighting within the veteran leader’s ZANU PF party over his succession.

The prison officers accused Manyere of violating the Prisons Act by shooting pictures of the suspects without permission, an accusation the journalist vehemently denied, telling the officers he was merely doing his job and wanted the pictures for a story he was doing.

The prison officers detained Manyere in holding cells at the courts before handing him over to the police who apparently preferred to charge the journalist with contravening the POSA.

The arrest of Manyere shows how journalism in Zimbabwe remains a risky and dangerous operation despite promises by the unity government of Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai to ensure freedom of the press as well as other basic freedoms and rights.

Meanwhile, trial of the six alleged coup plotters, Albert Mugove Matapo, Nyasha Zivuku, Oncemore Mudzuradhona, Emmanuel Marara, Patson Mapfure, Rangarirai Mazivofa and Shingirai Mutemachani has been postponed to April 13 after the state said it was not ready.

Prosecutor Eddie Nyazamba on Monday asked for the postponement of the matter in which the six are accused of hatching a plan to escape from Chikurubi Maximum Security prison.

The state is alleging that the six communicated their plan through letters written to one prisoner Owen Tafadzwa Mutenga – a charge the accused deny. – ZimOnline