(MISA/IFEX) – The editor of the “Standard” newspaper, Mark Chavunduka, along with journalist Ray Choto have been released on bail. The two were released on 21 January 1999 shortly after appearing in the High Court in Harare on charges under Section 50 (2) of the Law and Order Maintenance Act of 1960. At this stage […]
(MISA/IFEX) – The editor of the “Standard” newspaper, Mark Chavunduka, along
with journalist Ray Choto have been released on bail. The two were released
on 21
January 1999 shortly after appearing in the High Court in Harare on charges
under Section 50 (2) of the Law and Order Maintenance Act of 1960. At this
stage it is not known for how much their bail had been set, nor when they
are expected to appear in court again.
**Updates IFEX alerts of 21 January, 18 January, 15 January and 13 January
1999**
Meanwhile, reports from the High Court say that Chavunduka had been tortured
during his detention. However, the extent of this torture is not clear. MISA
expects to have more details later.
Background Information
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. During his incarceration, Chavunduka was denied access to
legal representation, family and friends.
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 produces Chavunduka before 22:00 hours (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 on 19 January after police shrewdly persuaded the
newspaper’s lawyers to convince Choto to come out of hiding. The lawyers
were led to believe that both journalists would be charged under the
(civilian) Law and Order Act, that they would have access to their lawyers
and families and that they would be able to apply for bail.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to authorities:
violation
of the right to freedom of expression as contained in Article 19 of the
International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and Article 9 of the
African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, of which Zimbabwe is a
signatory.
Appeals To
His Excellency President Robert Mugabe
Office of the President
Causeway, Harare
Zimbabwe
Fax: +263 4 708 557Mr Moven Mahachi
Zimbabwe Minister of Defence
Fax: +263 4 796 762
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
