(MISA/IFEX) – “The Post” newspaper reporter Dickson Jere has gone into hiding to avoid arrest, reports the Zambia Independent Media Association (ZIMA). Jere went into hiding following the arrest on 25 December 1997 of former president Kenneth Kaunda, who is linked to the failed coup of 28 October. **Updates IFEX alert dated 24 December 1997** […]
(MISA/IFEX) – “The Post” newspaper reporter Dickson Jere has gone
into hiding to avoid arrest, reports the Zambia Independent Media
Association (ZIMA). Jere went into hiding following the arrest on
25 December 1997 of former president Kenneth Kaunda, who is
linked to the failed coup of 28 October.
**Updates IFEX alert dated 24 December 1997**
A day before the coup, Jere interviewed Kaunda, who warned of a
possible “explosion” if incumbent president Frederick Chiluba
failed to meet opposition demands. “The Post” executive editor
Arthur Simuchoba confirmed the reporter’s hiding. No specific
date of his hiding was given.
Background Information
On 22 and 23 December, police visited “The Post”‘s offices
looking to question Jere, presumably in connection with the
interview he had with Kaunda. On 27 October, “The Post” published
an article by Jere in which he quoted Kaunda predicting an
“explosion” if the ruling Multiparty Movement for Democracy (MMD)
government failed to address opposition demands for
constitutional reform, among others. Kaunda left the country
shortly after warning the MMD government. On 22 December, Kaunda
returned, only to be arrested by police on 24 December in
connection with the failed coup (see IFEX alert).
