The investigation led to the resignation of five ministers of President Robert Mugabe's government, but also resulted in Nyarota being removed from his post.
[2] On 1 August 2000, the News reported that Zimbabwe's secret police, the Central Intelligence Organisation, had sent a man named Bernard Masara to kill Nyarota; however, after meeting Nyarota in a lift, Masara changed his mind and warned him of the plot.
South African Associated Press photographer Obed Zilwa was arrested for the attack, but the newspaper alleged that agents of Mugabe's security forces had thrown the bomb.
[8] The paper also came into conflict with the pro-ZANU Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA), an organisation accused by human rights and opposition groups of voter intimidation and invading white-owned farms on behalf of Mugabe's government.
The following month, ZNLWVA members severely beat News staffer Chengetai Zvauya for his reporting on the group.
[7] On 30 December 2002, Nyarota resigned as editor of the Daily News, to avoid his firing by the paper's new executive chair.
[11] Four top members of the News staff were charged with illegal attempts to publish, but were acquitted in September 2004.