Reporters Without Borders is concerned about freelance reporter Frank Chikowore and a cameraman so far identified only by the first name of Edgar, who were arrested this morning while covering President Robert Mugabe's arrival at a polling station to vote.


"These journalists are the victims of the climate of constant oppression being imposed by the government and security forces, and should be released at once," Reporters Without Borders said. "We appeal to the Zimbabwean courts not to be accomplices to these abuses, and to protect the few independent journalists still working in Zimbabwe."


It is not known why Chikowore and Frank were arrested at Mpofu primary school in the Harare neighbourhood of Highfields, when Mugabe went there to cast his vote in today's second-round elections. They were initially taken to Southerton police station, but their present location is unknown. It may be the "Law and Order" section of Harare central police station.