HARARE, Zimbabwe, Sept. 13 (UPI) -- The chief executive officer of Zimbabwe's only independent newspaper was criminally charged Saturday, one day after police shut the paper down.
Sam Siphepha Nkomo was charged with operating an unregistered publishing house, Voice of America reported. Nkomo was released and ordered to appear in court Monday.
Armed police ordered all staffers out of the newspaper's offices on Friday and guards were posted there Saturday, allowing staff to collect only their personal belongings.
The Daily News had the highest newspaper circulation in Zimbabwe and was frequently critical of President Robert Mugabe, VOA said. The paper's presses were blown up in 2001 after the Information Ministry deemed it "a threat to national security."
The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that The Daily News was operating illegally because it failed to register under the Access to Information and Privacy Act.
Media watchers claim the act threatens freedom of the press.
