Judge frees Wa Afrika, now out on bail

Mzilikazi wa Afrika about to be driven away following his release last night. (Image: Courtesy Times Live video clip.

For more:

• Times Live: Judge orders Wa Afrika freed... ''One minute spent in custody is one minute too much," said acting Pretoria High Court judge Johan Kruger last night, when he ordered the release of detained Sunday Times journalist Mzilikazi wa Afrika. His order followed the refusal of police to release the journalist - even after not one but three Mpumalanga prosecutors had refused to continue with the case. After his release Wa Afrika branded Hawks spokesman Musa Zondi a liar. Latest:: Wa Afrika released on bail... OK, now we are confused... Three prosecutors refused to proceed with the case - and yet Wa Afrika is granted bail?

• Business Report: Zille warns of the 'gravest threat' from new info bill... Who us? Not us! The government isn't trying to muzzle the media, its spokesman Themba Maseko said yesterday. To all those who believe that... reality check... There's no such thing as the Easter Bunny, and even worse... Father Christmas doesn't exist either. What many believe does exist in the form of the proposed bill, however, is what DA leader Helen Zille calls "the gravest legislative threat to our constitutional democracy since 1994"; she has pledged that her party would fight the bill "with every means at our disposal".

• Dispatch online: SAY NO: Protection of Information Bill... The news site has called on its readers to voice their opposition to the proposed bill, which it says "will essentially make the work we do illegal".

See also:

• Bizcommunity special section: special focus on media freedom
  
• Bizcommunity Twitterfall: #ZAmediafreedom
  
• Google News Search: Protection of Information Bill media appeals tribunal
  
• Twitter Search: #ZAmediafreedom
  
• Google Blog Search: Protection of Information Bill media appeals tribunal