(MISA/IFEX) – Alice Banda, a reporter from the privately-owned weekly newspaper “The Voice”, has received numerous threatening telephone calls following the publication of an investigative article in her newspaper’s 4 October 2002 edition. The controversial article reported on illegal abortions carried out by medical doctors in Francistown, Botswana’s second largest commercial centre, situated some 433 […]
(MISA/IFEX) – Alice Banda, a reporter from the privately-owned weekly newspaper “The Voice”, has received numerous threatening telephone calls following the publication of an investigative article in her newspaper’s 4 October 2002 edition. The controversial article reported on illegal abortions carried out by medical doctors in Francistown, Botswana’s second largest commercial centre, situated some 433 km from the capital, Gaborone.
Banda went undercover for three months, claiming to be five months pregnant. She discovered that five out of seven registered doctors in Francistown were willing to terminate her pregnancy, for a fee ranging from Pula 800 (approx. US$133) to Pula 3,200 (approx. US$533). Abortion is illegal in Botswana.
Banda told MISA-Botswana that she has received about 15 intimidating calls on her cellphone from anonymous callers, both men and women, in response to her 4 October report. “You’ve messed up your life and you’ll see! This time you’ll really become pregnant. Police won’t watch you at night. Watch your step! The wages of sin is death! If you think you’re standing firm, watch out lest you fall,” are among the warnings she has received.
Banda plans to continue working as a reporter despite the many threats she has received. She informed MISA-Botswana that she feels emotionally and psychologically traumatised and has had the support of her family and colleagues.
Meanwhile, “The Voice” reports that the commanding officer of Francistown police, Boikhutsho Dintwa, has congratulated Banda for a job well done and has assured her of police protection. Banda confirmed that a police officer visited her at the offices of “The Voice” to check on her safety.
Background Information
“The Voice” has a circulation of about 15,000 copies. It has been published for just over 10 years and is owned by Beata Kasale and Don Moore.
