MATABELELAND, Zimbabwe (CNN) -- British broadcaster Sky News Wednesday criticized the jail sentences given to three of its drivers in Zimbabwe, where a court found them guilty of possessing broadcast equipment without authorization. 

Journalists read a newspaper in Zimbabwe, where freedom of the press is extremely limited. 

The men are all from Johannesburg, South Africa and were sentenced Tuesday, according to their attorney. 

"We deplore the harsh sentence given to the three South African drivers," a Sky News spokesman, who did not give his name, said in London. "We will be appealing and hope that the Zimbabwean justice system fully reappraises its decision." 

A court convicted Bernet Hasani Sono, Resemate Boy Chauke, and Simon Maodi on Monday in Matabeleland, the state-run newspaper Chronicle reported. 

The three men pleaded guilty to violating the Postal and Telecommunications Act but denied the truck and Sky News equipment were theirs, the state paper reported. 

The judge, John Masimba, said that despite denying ownership, possession of the equipment was still a violation of the act. Masimba said in the Chronicle that it would send the wrong signal if he did not punish the men. 

Sono and Maodi were additionally charged an extra six weeks in jail for violating a section of the Immigration Act after the two didn't show up to the Immigration authorities, their defense lawyer, Tawengwa Hara, said. The charge was minor but Hara said he would appeal the possession charge and the sentence. 

Zimbabwean police stopped the men during a routine check at a Mbalabala roadblock in the Matabeleland South province and found boxes containing the communication equipment. The men were unable to give a reason for possessing it and were arrested, Hara said. 
Where were the drivers?
How strict is freedom of the press, there?
Where were the drivers from?
When was their sentencing done?
Who criticized the sentences they were given?
Which country is Sky News from?
What were they found guilty of having?
Who will be appealing the sentences?
Who was one of the drivers convicted?
Did he plead guilty?
Who was the judge who presided?
Did he say that just having the stuff was still a crime?
Which two guys got extra time for missing an appointment?
Who was their attorney?
He's appealing, right?
Did the three guys tell the court the stuff wasn't theirs?
What did Judge Masimba say would happen if he didn't punish them?
Who did he tell that to?
Where were the three guys stopped at?
What was in the boxes the police found?
Zimbabwe,
 Wednesday criticized the jail sentences given to three of its drivers in Zimbabwe,
Extremely limited
Journalists read a newspaper in Zimbabwe, where freedom of the press is extremely limited. 
South Africa
The men are all from Johannesburg, South Africa and were sentenced Tuesday, according to their attorney. 
Tuesday
The men are all from Johannesburg, South Africa and were sentenced Tuesday
a Sky News spokesman,
"We deplore the harsh sentence given to the three South African drivers," a Sky News spokesman,
unknown
unknown
possessing broadcast equipment
guilty of possessing broadcast equipment without authorization. 
the  news man
We deplore the harsh sentence given to the three South African drivers," a Sky News spokesman, who did not give his name, said in London. "We will be appealing and hope that the Zimbabwean justice system fully reappraises its decision
Bernet Hasani Sono,
A court convicted Bernet Hasani Sono,
no
The judge, John Masimba, said that despite denying ownership, possession of the equipment was still a violation of the act. Masimba said in the Chronicle that it would send the wrong signal if he did not punish the men
John Masimba
The judge, John Masimba, said that despite denying ownership, possession
yes
The judge, John Masimba, said that despite denying ownership, possession of the equipment was still a violation of the act.
Sono and Maodi
Sono and Maodi were additionally charged an extra six weeks
Tawengwa Hara
mmigration Act after the two didn't show up to the Immigration authorities, their defense lawyer, Tawengwa Hara
yes
he charge was minor but Hara said he would appeal the possession charge and the sentence. 
YEs
The three men pleaded guilty to violating the Postal and Telecommunications Act but denied the truck and Sky News equipment were theirs, the state paper reported. 
Send the wrong signal
asimba said in the Chronicle that it would send the wrong signal if he did not punish the men. 
the Chronicle
 Masimba said in the Chronicle
Matabeleland South province
Zimbabwean police stopped the men during a routine check at a Mbalabala roadblock in the Matabeleland South province
the communication equipment.
Matabeleland South province and found boxes containing the communication equipment. 