**Updates IFEX alerts of 19 October, 15 September, 30 July, 27 April and 26 March 1999** (JED/IFEX) – The Court of Military Order (COM), heard the testimony of three witnesses summoned by Joseph Mbakulu Pambu Diana, a journalist with Matadi Radio-Television (Radiotélévision Matadi, RTM), at his public hearing on Thursday 9 December 1999. Mbakulu has […]
**Updates IFEX alerts of 19 October, 15 September, 30 July, 27 April and 26 March 1999**
(JED/IFEX) – The Court of Military Order (COM), heard the testimony of three witnesses summoned by Joseph Mbakulu Pambu Diana, a journalist with Matadi Radio-Television (Radiotélévision Matadi, RTM), at his public hearing on Thursday 9 December 1999. Mbakulu has been jailed for the last thirteen months for “propagating false news”, in connection with the taking of the city of Matadi (main city in Lower-Congo province) by the rebellion in October 1998.
The first witness was the former governor of Lower-Congo province, Fuka Unzola (who is currently serving a fifteen year prison sentence for “treason”.) Unzola confirmed that Mbakulu was forced, by a rebel commander named Panzu, to open the offices of RTM and broadcast the rebels’ message. This was also confirmed by the second witness, Camille Aleke, a colleague of Mbakulu’s. The last witness was Mbuma Nyimi, acting president-general delegate of RTM, who, after having implicated the journalist, finally admitted that Mbakulu had acted under rebel orders.
The next hearing is scheduled for Saturday 11 December. It will feature the closing speeches of the public minister and the journalist’s lawyers.
Mbakulu’s defence lawyers are: Diambu Kakadi and Boffendakini Thevisa of the Matadi Bar; Dieudonné Kaluba Dibwa and Mukendi Kalambayi (JED’s lawyers) and André Marie Mwila of the non-governmental organisation Toges Noires (Black Gowns).
