(MISA/IFEX) – The managing editor of the “Standard” newspaper, Clive Wilson, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court in Harare on 25 January 1999. His hearing was set for 11 a.m. (local time). **Updates IFEX alerts of 25 January, 22 January, 21 January, 18 January, 15 January and 13 January 1999** Wilson was arrested on 22 January […]
(MISA/IFEX) – The managing editor of the “Standard” newspaper, Clive Wilson,
appeared in the Magistrate’s Court in Harare on 25 January 1999. His hearing
was set for 11 a.m. (local time).
**Updates IFEX alerts of 25 January, 22 January, 21 January, 18
January, 15
January and 13 January 1999**
Wilson was arrested on 22 January by members of the police’s Criminal
Investigation Department and held for the whole weekend.
It is believed Wilson was to be charged along with two other colleagues from
the “Standard” under Section 50 of the Law and Order Maintenance Act of
1960, which makes it unlawful to publish false reports that are “likely to
cause alarm, fear or despondency to the public, or section thereof.” The
offence carries with it a maximum prison sentence of seven years. It is
further understood that Wilson was to put in a plea for bail during his
appearance.
Background Information
Wilson was arrested on 22 January, less than a day after two other
journalists, deputy editor Mark Chavunduka and reporter Ray Choto, were
released on bail.
Chavunduka was detained by the Zimbabwean military on 12 January, two days
after the “Standard” published a story alleging that about twenty three
soldiers had been detained for attempting to overthrow the government of
Robert Mugabe.
On 14 January, the Zimbabwean High Court ordered the government to release
Chavunduka, arguing that his detention was unlawful. The government
(military) however refused to abide by the court order saying civilian
courts have no jurisdiction over military camps where Chavunduka was being
held. A second order was issued by the High Court, demanding that the
Minister of Defence release Chavunduka by 10 p.m. (local time) on 18
January. Again, the military defied this and instead pretended it would be
handing Chavunduka over to the police to be charged under a civil process.
Choto was arrested by police on 19 January, but later handed over to
military interrogators.
On 21 January, shortly after the two journalists had been released on bail,
they recounted how they had been tortured at the hands of the military. Both
men were beaten all over their bodies with fists, wooden planks and rubber
sticks, particularly on the soles of their feet, and given electric shocks
all over the body, including the genitals. They were also subjected to the
“submarine”, where their heads are wrapped in plastic bags and then
submerged in a water tank until they suffocate.
At the time of Wilson’s arrest on Friday, 22 January, grave concern was
expressed for his well-being, along with fears that he might be handed over
for military interrogation and suffer a fate similar to that of Chavunduka
and Choto.
