Whistle-blowing Zimbabwean journalist denied bail

A Zimbabwean journalist arrested after revealing alleged government corruption has been denied bail by a court in the capital, Harare, for fear he will "incite" others to protest.

Hopewell Chin'ono was arrested on Monday on charges of inciting violence.

The state accuses him of supporting calls for planned anti-government protests at the end of July, organised by small opposition party leader Jacob Ngarivumhe who also faces similar charges.

"The struggle against corruption should continue," Mr Chin'ono told reporters outside the court:

Amnesty International denounced the arrests as designed to intimidate those drawing attention to matters of public interest. Rights groups and Western embassies have similarly condemned the move.

Local online journalists had carried exposés about alleged corruption in the awarding to tenders by the health ministry.

Social media pressure led to the arrest and dismissal of health minister Obadiah Moyo and calls for protests.

This article was originally published by BBC News. Photo: Facebook