Harare man arrested for listening to VOA

HARARE, Zimbabwe, June 23 (UPI) -- A Harare street vendor was awaiting a court appearance Monday after being arrested allegedly for listening to the Voice of America.

The Zimbabwean, a Harare newspaper, said street vendor Noel Tichawana was arrested about three weeks ago on charges of committing a criminal nuisance by listening to the VOA news program Studio 7. He is scheduled for a July 15 court appearance.

The government of Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe considers the show to be hostile to his regime and has outlawed it, the newspaper said. The criminal complaint against Tichawana says a Zimbabwean soldier arrested him after observing him trying to listen to Studio 7.

"On several occasions, accused person would play his radio set at high volume attracting a crowd as he would switch it to Voice of America's Studio 7," the complaint read. "Informant then arrested the accused and brought him to St. Mary's police station."

The arrest was seen as part of a crackdown on political opposition by Mugabe in the run-up to presidential elections Friday.