zambia: Reporter harassed

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

22 September 2003

Reporter Alfarson Sinalungu harassed

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

(MISA/IFEX) - On 17 September 2003, four prison wardens confronted Alfarson
Sinalungu, a freelance journalist who writes for the privately-owned "Post"
newspaper, over an interview he conducted with convicted coup plotter Captain
Jack Chiti. Chiti, who is on death row, is currently in Kabwe general hospital.

Sinalungu told MISA-Zambia that the wardens accosted him at the hospital and
accused him of being the author of a profile of Chiti that appeared in the 7
September edition of "The Sunday Post". In the article, Chiti explained in
detail his involvement in the failed 27 October 1997 coup d'état against former
president Frederick Chiluba, his subsequent torture, the harassment of his
family and his views on Zambia's current political situation.

Sinalungu said the officers led him to their "command post" within the hospital
and questioned him for about 30 minutes. They said they had been looking for the
person who had been leaking information to "The Post" and they suspected it was
him, although they were not sure of his identity. They accused him of having
committed a criminal offence - trespassing - by interviewing a convict who was
hospitalised. When Sinalungu replied the hospital was not an official prison,
they allegedly accused him of being stubborn and demanded that he accompany them
to the police station.

On their way to the police station, Sinalungu demanded the presence of his
lawyer Kabesha Mulilo, who was picked up at his office to witness the two-hour
proceedings at Kabwe Central police station.

The police recorded the wardens' official complaint against Sinalungu. The
officer in charge, identified only as Chazangazika, told the wardens that he
could not act on their complaint as they had been negligent in allowing the
journalist to interview a convict at length without their knowledge.
Chazangazika dismissed the charges and released the reporter at 6:00 p.m. (local
time) that same day.

MISA-Zambia Chairperson Kellys Kaunda expressed satisfaction that the matter was
resolved amicably. "It's good that both parties were able to resolve the matter
without acrimony. I would like to commend the police for acting professionally
in this case," he said.

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 61 232 975, fax:
+264 61 248 016, 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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