zambia: Journalist arrested, charged

IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - ZAMBIA

5 February 2003

Journalist arrested, charged with "publishing false news"

SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek

(MISA/IFEX) - On 5 February 2003, police arrested Chali Nondo, chief
reporter of "The Monitor" newspaper, and charged him with "publishing false
news with intent to cause fear and alarm to the public". The journalist is
being held at Woodlands police station in Lusaka and has been denied bond.

The offence, which is contrary to Section 67 of the Penal Code, carries a
maximum jail sentence of three years upon conviction.

Nondo's arrest follows a story published in the 4 to 6 February edition of
"The Monitor", which alleged that President Levy Mwanawasa had authorised
police to hire a witchdoctor in order to help them capture a fugitive former
finance minister who was wanted by police to face charges of "theft of
public funds".

The said minister had eluded the police for over three months on account of
his alleged use of charms. Nondo's story, which quoted unnamed sources,
suggested that police would not have arrested the fugitive minister if they
had not engaged the witchdoctor. "They told me that the complainant was the
police," Nondo said.

Nondo was picked up at his office at around 9:30 a.m. (local time) on 5
February. He was taken to police headquarters in Lusaka, where he was
questioned, after which a "warn and caution" statement was recorded from
him. He was formally placed in police custody at 4:00 p.m.

Nondo said he was interviewed by four police officers, who wanted to know
the source of his story. He refused to tell them. The journalist described
the questioning as "very intimidating" and said his interviewers kept
telling him that he would be arrested and locked up. His lawyer was
initially denied access during the interview, until about midday. He
described Nondo's ordeal as "harassment."

Dickson Jere, chairperson of MISA's Zambia chapter (ZIMA), condemned the
police action and called for the reporter's immediate and unconditional
release. He also complained that police appear to be targeting journalists
from "The Monitor" newspaper.

For further information, contact Zoe Titus or Kaitira Kandjii, Regional
Information Coordinator, MISA, Street Address: 21 Johann Albrecht Street,
Mailing Address; Private Bag 13386 Windhoek, Namibia, tel: +264 61 232975,
fax: +264 61 248016, e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected],
Internet: http://www.misa.org/

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of MISA.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit MISA.
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PRESS STATEMENT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Inter-African Network for Human Rights and Development (AFRONET) wishes to strongly condemn police action, which is aimed at instilling fear, and despondency with regard to the Monitor Newspaper. The Police, which are part of the Executive, must accept their role of protecting life and property and not harassing innocent journalists, who represent the fourth estate, the Media.

At around 09:30hrs today , Chali Nondo, Chief Reporter at the Monitor Newspaper, was picked up by police and is currently being held in room 216 at Police Force Headquarters in Lusaka. Efforts to get cooperation from the Police Spokesperson, Brenda Muntemba drew a sarcastic response saying,” You may react in any manner that you wish.” This is not only unprofessional but a direct affront to the image of the Police Service.

Afronet demands that the Police should immediately stop harassing Monitor reporters and concentrate on their work, as per expectation of the people of Zambia.

Issued By: Information Unit

Date: 5th February 2003

Authorised by: Ngande Mwanajiti
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR