Standard Editor Nevanji Madanhire was Friday granted $100 bail after he appeared in court facing a charge of communicating falsehoods or alternatively criminal defamation.
However, Madanhire’s co-accused, senior reporter Patience Nyangove and company representative Loud Ramakgapola, were released on free bail by provincial magistrate Shane Kubonera.
The trio was remanded to July 29.
This followed their arrest on Wednesday over the newspaper’s lead story in this week’s edition headlined: “MDC-T fears for missing Timba’s life”.
The complainant in the case is cited as the State, and Chrispen Makedenge, the Chief Superintendent in the CID Law and Order, is cited as the informant.
The State alleges the story falsely reported that Timba was arrested by police officers who included Makedenge.
But, the State alleges that Makedenge was not present and involved in the arrest of Timba, the Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office.
The trio are being charged with criminal defamation under Section 96 of the Criminal Code and with the publication of false statements prejudicial to the State which undermine public confidence in a law enforcement agent under Section 31 (A) (iii).ll.
