(MISA/IFEX) – Zimbabwean journalists Mark Chavunduka and Roy Choto, who were released from prison on 21 January 1999 on bail of Zim$10,000 (approx. US$255), have been sent for a full medical check-up amid the disclosure of their torture at the hands of the military. **Updates IFEX alerts of 22 January, 21 January, 18 January, 15 […]
(MISA/IFEX) – Zimbabwean journalists Mark Chavunduka and Roy Choto, who were
released from prison on 21 January 1999 on bail of Zim$10,000 (approx.
US$255), have been sent for a full medical check-up amid the disclosure of
their torture at the hands of the military.
**Updates IFEX alerts of 22 January, 21 January, 18 January, 15 January and
13 January 1999**
Chavunduka, the editor of the “Standard” newspaper, and Choto, the author of
a contentious story alleging a plot to overthrow the government of President
Robert Mugabe, were both subjected to about fifteen hours of torture at the
hands of military interrogators. Amnesty International reports that both
were beaten all over their bodies with fists, wooden planks and rubber
sticks, particularly on the soles of their feet, and given electric shocks
all over the body, including the genitals. They were also subjected to the
“submarine”, where their heads are wrapped in plastic bags and then
submerged in a water tank until they suffocate.
Both men have been charged under the Law and Order Maintenance Act of 1960
for publishing false reports that were “likely to cause alarm, fear or
despondency to the public, or section thereof.” The offence carries with it
a maximum prison sentence of seven years. They were not asked to plead and
were remanded to appear for trial on 22 February. They were also instructed
to surrender their travel documents.
Meanwhile, the Reuters news agency reports that a Zimbabwean secret service
officer on 20 January assaulted several members of staff at three news
offices in the southern town of Masvingo, accusing them of publishing
anti-government stories. The officer beat up four reporters, a guard and
advertising staff at the independent weekly “Tribune” and “Zimbabwe Mirror”
newspapers and the state’s Zimbabwe Information Service. Police in Masvingo
confirmed that a Central Intelligence Officer was being held in connection
with the attack, and that the suspect would be charged.
In Namibia, several dozen people took to the streets in the capital,
Windhoek, in a march to the Zimbabwean High Commission to protest the
harassment of journalists in Zimbabwe. Organised by the Namibian chapter of
MISA, the marchers proceeded down the main Independence Avenue to hand over
a petition to the Zimbabwean High Commissioner, Mary Mubi. Mubi, on
receiving the petition, declined to comment on the matter at hand but
promised to forward the petition to the appropriate persons in the
Zimbabwean government.
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 produce 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.
