The Freedom of Expression Institute is alarmed at the unfortunate arrest of the Zimbabwean editor Mark Chavunduka by the Zimbabwean military for reporting the arrest of 23 military officers for an alleged coup plot. Earlier on, the Zimbabwean military authorities were charged with contempt of court after defying a Harare High Court order to release Chavunduka, saying that the judge cannot direct the military and they were not bound by the order to release Chavunduka.

After protests in and outside Zimbabwe, he was handed to the police and will appear in court today together with the reporter who wrote the story. FXI is of the view that the action of the military and the apparent support by the government is against the MISA Windhoek declaration, and the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights of which the Zimbabwean government is signatory. We are further of the view that it the Zimbabwean government is not ready to give information about the war in the Democratic Republic of Congo and its consequences, there should be not obstruction of the media from performing its roles.

The labelling of the media as "third force" elements is highly unsubstantiated and is an attempt to discredit the media.

The FXI call on the Zimbabwean military to refrain from using journalists as scapegoats amid the consequences of the DRC war. The Zimbabwean military should also explain all the charges against Chavunduka. Failure to do so he should be released without delay.

Issued by : Nanagolo Leopeng 011 4038403

Robert Nkuna 082 677 1754