Zambia: Journalists barred from tribunal hearing
On 3 February 2004, the media and public were barred from attending hearings of a tribunal investigating allegations of professional misconduct levelled by President Levy Mwanawasa against Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) Mukelebai Mukelebai. Judge Esau Chulu, the tribunal chairperson who sat with Judges Philip Musonda and Charles Kajimanga, ruled that the proceedings would be held in camera, despite an application by Mukelebai's lawyer, Vincent Malambo, that they be open to the public.
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - ZAMBIA
6 February 2004
Journalists barred from tribunal hearing
SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek
(MISA/IFEX) - On 3 February 2004, the media and public were barred from
attending hearings of a tribunal investigating allegations of professional
misconduct levelled by President Levy Mwanawasa against Director of Public
Prosecutions (DPP) Mukelebai Mukelebai.
Judge Esau Chulu, the tribunal chairperson who sat with Judges Philip
Musonda and Charles Kajimanga, ruled that the proceedings would be held in
camera, despite an application by Mukelebai's lawyer, Vincent Malambo, that
they be open to the public.
MISA-Zambia Chairperson Kellys Kaunda condemned the decision to bar the
media from the proceedings as a violation of journalists' right to report
freely. "Journalists are there to inform the public about what is happening,
therefore, having the case of the DPP heard in camera is an infringement of
the journalists' rights as well as a denial of information to the public,"
he said.
The African Editors' Forum's Zambian chapter and the Catholic Commission for
Justice, Development and Peace also criticised the decision to bar the media
and public from the proceedings.
BACKGROUND:
On 15 January, President Mwanawasa suspended Mukelebai, accusing him of
having secret meetings with former intelligence chief Xavier Chungu, who is
facing a number of corruption charges in court. The president appointed a
tribunal to probe Mukelebai's alleged professional misconduct.
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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