(MISA/IFEX) – “Post” journalist Goodson Machona, who was holed up in his home since about 1 a.m. (local time) on 10 March 1999, when police surrounded it, has been arrested. The standoff between Machona and the police happened after the journalist refused to surrender himself to the police until he had spoken to his lawyers. […]
(MISA/IFEX) – “Post” journalist Goodson Machona, who was holed up in his
home since about 1 a.m. (local time) on 10 March 1999, when police
surrounded it, has been arrested. The standoff between Machona and the
police happened after the journalist refused to surrender himself to the
police until he had spoken to his lawyers. Lawyers who spoke to MISA
said
that Machona had been manhandled when he was arrested, while the lawyers
were also prevented from following the police to see where they were
taking
the journalist.
**Updates previous IFEX alerts of 10 March 1999**
Earlier on 10 March, lawyers were granted access to detained reporters
Kelvin Shimo and Lubasi Katunda, who were both being held at the
Woodlands
police station. They were also able to bring them food. Another detained
reporter, Joe Kaunda, is being held at the Chilanga police station, but
it
is not clear whether lawyers have been granted access to him. It is not
known where the other detained reporters are being held.
“Post ” editor-in-chief Fred M’membe is reported to be underground,
along
with reporter Dickson Jere. “Post” photographer Sheikh Chifuwe was also
being sought by the police, but he was not at home when they came
looking
for him. Meanwhile, police have also visited the homes of senior
reporter
Rueben Phiri and News Editor Mukalya Nampito, but both are currently in
South Africa. They also visited the home of reporter Douglas Hampande,
who
was also out of the country.
Lawyer Sakwiba Sikhoto, who spoke to MISA today, said they were
preparing a
habeas corpus application which they expect to bring before the court
tomorrow.
Background Information
On 9 March, police in the Zambian capital, Lusaka, fanned out over the
city
to arrest journalists from the “Post” newspaper apparently after an
order
for them to arrest all “Post” journalists before dawn. By 6 a.m. (local
time), police had arrested five reporters: Brighton Phiri, Kelvin
Shimo,
Joe Kaunda, Amos Malupenga and Lubasi Katunda.
The crackdown on the journalists followed an uproar caused in the
National
Assembly stemming from the lead story in the “Post” on 9 March. The
story
entitled, “Angola Worries Zambia Army, ZAF”, prompted National Assembly
Deputy Speaker Simon Mwila to order Defence Minister Chitalu Sampa to
immediately take appropriate action against the “Post”.
The “Post” reports that Mwila made the directive to Sampa following a
point
of order by a fellow member of parliament in which the MP questioned
whether
the “Post” was justified to carry a story on the country’s low military
capabilities. Mwila told the House that he was concerned about the
contents
of the newspaper article which exhibited a high level of unpatriotism
towards the security of the country. A fellow MP charged that the
article
had managed to lay bare the country’s military secrets by publishing an
inventory of the weaponry.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
is a
serious violation of international treaties guaranteeing freedom of
expression and media freedom
own
Bill of Rights with respect to media freedom and freedom of expression
Appeals To
His Excellency President Frederick Chiluba
President of the Republic of Zambia
Fax: 260-1-221939
E-mail: state@zamnet.zm or mfalus@zamnet.zmThe Hon. Newstead Zimba
Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services
Phone: +260 1 254487 or 260 1 253486
Fax: +260 1 253456Mr. Francis Ndhlovu
Inspector General of Police
P.O. Box 50103
Lusaka
Fax: +260 1 253537The Zambian representative in your country. In Canada and the United
States,
send appeals to:His Excellency Dunstan W. Kamana
High Commissioner
2419 Massachusetts Avenue N.W.
Washington, 20008 U.S.A.
Fax: +1 202 332 0826
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
