(MISA/IFEX) – Judgement of the case in which “Post” newspaper editor-in-chief Fred M’membe is charged with espionage will be handed down on 21 December 2000. This was confirmed by Trial Judge Elizabeth Muyovwe on 25 October, at the end of M’membe’s two-day trial. Meanwhile, in their oral submission, the defence team pleaded for the acquittal […]
(MISA/IFEX) – Judgement of the case in which “Post” newspaper editor-in-chief Fred
M’membe is charged with espionage will be handed down on 21 December 2000. This was confirmed by Trial Judge Elizabeth Muyovwe on 25 October, at the end of M’membe’s two-day trial.
Meanwhile, in their oral submission, the defence team pleaded for the acquittal of their client, arguing that the state had failed to prove that M’membe breached the State Security Act by publishing the article headlined “Angola worries Zambia Army, ZAF” on 9 March 1999. The state has opted to make written submissions, which will be submitted to the judge by 27 October.
Earlier, in his evidence, M’membe showed the court the sources of his information, which included magazines and Internet sources. He told the court that the motive of the publication was to inform the Zambian public and not spy for the Angolans.
If convicted, M’membe faces a minimum of twenty years imprisonment.
Background Information
On 18 August, M’membe was put on his defence on an espionage charge, while ten of his co-accused were discharged. In her ruling, Justice Muyovwe said M’membe was being put on his defence because of a press statement he allegedly issued to Radio Phoenix, admitting responsibility for the publication of the article in the “Post” newspaper of 9 March 1999 headlined “Angola worries Zambia Army, ZAF”. She acquitted the others because the state had failed to prove that they participated in authoring the story. The case was adjourned to 1 September for M’membe’s defence.
The released journalists were Brighton Phiri, Dickson Jere, Goodson Machona, Joe Kaunda, Liseli Kayumba, McPherson Muyumba, Reuben Phiri, Douglas Hampande, Kelvin Shimo and Lubasi Katundu.
The case dates back to 10 March 1999, when police began a general swoop against “Post” reporters a day after the newspaper published a story headlined “Angola worries Zambia Army, ZAF”. The story questioned Zambia’s ability to withstand an attack from Angola at a time when relations between the two countries were soured over persistent press reports alleging that Zambia was aiding rebels from the Angolan Union for the Total Liberation of Angola (UNITA). At one point, as many as thirteen “Post” journalists were arrested, but two of them, Mukalya Nampito and Amos Malupenga, were later released by the state on a “nolle prosequi”.
