GOVERNMENT WITHDRAWS DEPORTATION ORDER AGAINST JOURNALIST

The Ministry of Home Affairs on 25 May announced that it had
withdrawn the deportation order against `Sunday Independent'
journalist, Newton Kanhema. Despite this, the department has indicated
it has not given up its efforts to evict Kanhema from South Africa.

The department said the administrative flaws in effecting the
withdrawal are being rectified and the matter will be pursued.
Kanhema, a Zimbabwean born journalist was served with a deportation
order in January while on sabbatical in Atlanta. He was told not to
re-enter South Africa but on 25 May was telephoned in Atlanta by a
Home Affairs official and told he could return to South Africa.

According to government officials, Kanhema was guilty of criminal
fraud in his application for permanent residence in South Africa. A
similar deportation order directed at his wife was declared last week
by High Court Judge Guy Hoffman as null and void because it was taken
at face value from Home Affairs official who had failed to apply his
mind to the case.

The judge said Mr Kanhema's wife's right to be heard had simply
been denied by the department.

ENDS