Journalist who claimed President’s wife donated 'used' underwear arrested

On the 3rd of October 2017, lawyers for Human rights stated that the journalist who ran a story that claimed Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe’s wife had donated second-hand underwear has been arrested.

Kenneth Nyangani was arrested for allegedly “publishing a story over the donation of some used undergarments by First Lady Grace Mugabe” and was held in Mutare.

He has not yet appeared in court and according to reports, could face ‘criminal defamation‘ charges.

International human rights organisations have demanded Nyangani’s release and have accused the Zimbabwean authorities of harassing journalists.

According to Cousin Zalala, the Executive Director of Amnesty International, the arrest was a measured approach to harass and intimidate Nyangani just to discourage him from doing his job.

Grace Mugabe has been mentioned as one of the top candidates to succeed her 93-year-old husband who has been in power for more than 34 years.

Reports of Grace’s spendthrift nature has made her unpopular with the Zimbabwean folk.