Freelance journalists Frank Chikowore and Samuel Takawira on 1 September 2020 applied for discharge at the close of the State case on allegations of breaching the COVID-19 regulations.
Paidamoyo Saurombe who is representing Chikowore and Takawira, applied for discharge saying the State had failed to prove its case.
Mbare magistrate, Kudzai Hove, will deliver ruling on 10 September 2020.
The journalists are on bail on charges of breaching Section 11 (b) of Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020 in terms of the COVID-19 regulations by allegedly disobeying a lawful order from a police officer.
It is alleged that they refused to obey an order by the police officer to maintain social distancing as per the lockdown regulations.
They were arrested at Parktown Clinic in Harare’s Waterfalls suburb on 22 May 2020, where three female MDC Alliance officials, that include Member of Parliament for Harare West Joanna Mamombe, were being treated following their alleged abduction and torture after staging a demonstration in Warren Park, Harare.
Chikowore and Takawira had reportedly gone to the clinic to interview the three MDC Alliance officials resulting in their arrest.
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