(MISA/IFEX) – On 23 June 1999, Horace Somanje and Mabvuto Banda, two journalists from the “Malawi News” who were arrested on 21 June, were granted bail of 5,000 Kwacha each (just over US$100) in the Blantyre Magistrates court. The two were also bound to two sureties of 10,000 Kwacha (over US$200) each. They were instructed […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 23 June 1999, Horace Somanje and Mabvuto Banda, two
journalists from the “Malawi News” who were arrested on 21 June, were
granted bail of 5,000 Kwacha each (just over US$100) in the Blantyre
Magistrates court. The two were also bound to two sureties of 10,000 Kwacha
(over US$200) each. They were instructed to hand over their travel
documents, and to report to the police in Blantyre twice a week.
**Updates IFEX alerts of 23 June and 22 June 1999**
Somanje and Banda were each charged on two counts. The first charge was
publication of an article prejudicial to public safety or public order, and
the second charge was inciting to mutiny. They pleaded not guilty to both
charges. No date was set for the next court appearance.
Background Information
Somanje, the editor of the “Malawi News”, and Banda, a reporter at the
paper, were arrested by police in Blantyre early in the day on 21 June, for
allegedly inciting the Malawi Army to take over the country. The arrest
followed the appearance of an article in the “Malawi News” on 19 June,
which quoted angry opposition supporters calling for the army to take over
the country because President Bakili Muluzi and his United Democratic Front
had rigged the 15 June elections.
The story in the paper was a report about a demonstration in front of the
Blantyre court house held on 18 June in support of a court action
challenging the results of the recent general election. The crowd reportedly
chanted “take over, take over” to the army and police when they arrived to
break up the demonstration.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the authorities:
duty of reporting what had been said at the demonstration and that the
charges therefore amounted to an unfair restriction on the right to freedom
of expression, freedom of information and freedom of the media, in
particular
Appeals To
Kamudoni Myasulu
Director of Public Prosecutions
Fax: +265 782 176Attorney General’s office
Attention: Mr Matenje
Fax: +265 782 176
(note: The Minister of Justice normally serves as Malawi’s A/G and due to
elections and cabinet reshuffle there is no appointed A/G at the moment.
However, a letter can still be sent to the A/G’s office)
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
