John Masuku, Millie Phiri, Arnold Tsunga, Nhlanha Ngwenya and David Masunda, all trustees of the Voice of the People (VOP) radio station, appeared before the Harare Magistrates' Court on a remand hearing. They are currently out of custody.A sixth trustee, Isabella Matambanadzo, is based in South Africa and was not in court.Lawyer Beatrice Mtetwa said she was trying to get the case against the six thrown out. "We do not believe there is a case against them. The facts alleged by the state do not reveal a crime," said Mtetwa. VOP's troubles began last December, when police raided the station's Harare offices and arrested Masuku, the director of the station. Computers and documents were also seized. Masuku was charged with illegally possessing transmitting equipment. Five other trustees turned themselves in to police last month and were similarly charged. Under Zimbabwe's strict broadcasting laws no independent radio station has yet been licensed to operate. VOP got around that prohibition by compiling its reports locally and sending them outside the country for broadcast back into the country via shortwave.

It did not have any transmission equipment in the country. Mtetwa said the state's expert witness revealed Tuesday that he did not know how the station broadcasts its programmes. "He says he doesn't know where the transmission takes place from," she said. Zimbabwe's four radio stations and only television station are all state run. At least three independent radio stations, including VOP, broadcast their programmes into the country via shortwave. Closing arguments in the VOP case are due to be heard on Wednesday, Mtetwa said. She did not know when judgement would be delivered. - Sapa