Zambian Watchdog writers fear for their lives as government hunts them down
The entire Zambia security system is currently hunting for the editors, publishers and sources of the Zambian Watchdog.
And the Media Legal Defence Initiative (MLDI) www.mediadefence.org has offered the persecuted Watchdog writers legal representation. MDLI legal director Peter Noorlander has confirmed that his organization is hiring lawyers to defend the Watchdog.
The Media Legal Defence Initiative (based in UK) is a non-governmental charity which works in all regions of the world to provide legal support to journalists and media outlets who seek to protect their right to freedom of expression.
The order was urgent and harsh and can be summarized as follows: identify, capture, extract information (using any method) and prosecute.
Zambia police are highly reputed for being cruel on torture.
The order was made by Gregory Phiri, a Supreme Court judge but exercising powers of a High Court.
The Crime: the Watchdog said something about a case in court.
“The State, through the Director of Public Prosecutions, all security wings, and all apparatus involved in information technology, including the Zambia Information Communication Technology Authority, are hereby ordered to carry out a quick but thorough investigation into the author and the publisher.
“Once the relevant person or persons are identified, the police must arrest and bring them forthwith to this court so that they formally purge this contempt,” Gregory Phiri said.
The complaint was made by Bonaventure Mutale, a lawyer for Mathew Mohan who is facing a murder trial.
But the whole process was started by the Post newspaper through its managing editor Amos Malupenga. Malupenga copied letters to Judge Gregory Phiri and the Zambia police chief on Post letterheads directing them to take interest in the articles published by the Watchdog.
And the Watchdog team has expressed shock at the directive from the court describing it as death warrant.
The Watchdog team is shocked that the entire security system of Zambia could be mobilized to hunt and capture journalists just for doing their job.
The Watchdog views this as an assault on freedom of expression and press freedom and are therefore seeking protection from International organizations. They are wondering whether it is now the policy of president Rupiah Banda’s government to mobilize the government security system against journalists for just doing their jobs.
The Watchdog believes that this is not about the matter they may have commented on but that they are aware that for a long time, the authorities and some people not happy with their work have been trying to kill them and destroy their work.
The Watchdog exposes corruption and other crimes like murder, drug trafficking through investigation and analytical special reports. This has brought hatred against the people running g the Watchdog.
The Watchdog is a truly independent and free publication which is solely controlled by its editors. It does not tolerate any encroachment on its editorial independence from any one.
But the Watchdog has vowed to continue with their work no matter what happens. Even if the Zambia security and defence forces manages to kill any of the people involved in the Watchdog, the web based newspaper shall continue.
26 Responses to Zambian Watchdog writers fear for their lives as government hunts them down
Go Social
It is dangerous to practice journalism in Zambia. Police, inept government officials, drug barons, judges all waiting to devour you. Its gratifying to know there are still brave hearts in Zambia. Watchdog forever. Viva forever
Chiti - November 13, 2010
12:21
Ati the chosen one, who chose you, Satan? You go and obey the archaic law yourself since you are an imbecile. For us, bad law can not be obeyed. Mandela would not have been a hero if he obeyed what some people regarded as their law, just lilke the chosen one by the devil.
Bine - November 13, 2010
12:06
Herein lies the pitfalls of investigative journalism. What should a journalist do after he/she feels that he/she has finished searching for all possible facts and details about a story?; (a) report the story (b) give the facts to a judge presiding over the story (c)
remain mum about the story until the case has been disposed of in court
Fay - November 13, 2010
12:05
The chsen one,
you vommit that ‘E.g. Australia killed thousands of native people, so did America, England killed/kills innocent people in England and abroad’ so your conclusion is that ZWD reporters must be killed as well. Who sent you, or who are you? Malupenga or Mohan’s brother? Get a lif man
Munthu - November 13, 2010
12:03
ZWD by our law were wrong, and we must not defend them just because they are journalists. They commented on an issue in courts of law. Anywhere in a civilised world such behavior is unacceptable. That is the reason why CNN, BBC, SKY etc, dont cover most cases live in court, and only report on what was said using sketches, and dont pass judgement. ZWD reporter acted as if s/he was there with the criminals, and there is nothing wrong for the court to ask them to appear before it. They could appear voluntarily and offer an apology to the court. It is not everything that happens that is blessed by government. We may disagree with many things, but let’s learn to respect our institutions of governance. Let’s be patriotic and not always run to foreign countries and tarnish the image of our country. The country is bigger than me, you, the post, rb and sata. Some of these counties we run to have also their own skelotons, E.g. Australia killed thousands of native people, so did America, England killed/kills innocent people in England and abroad. Remember that guy who disappeared for saying there were no weapons of mass destructions in Iraq? he was murdered by the same “holy” people. Human history (which is made everyday) by it’s very nature is imperfect. Let’s build Zambia by doing right things, not disobeying our law, and then partnering with Europeans in damaging our image. It doesnt benefit anyone. We make it difficult for us to develop, and move forward.
The Chosen One - November 13, 2010
11:49
I THINK BRIAN YOU ARE TRYING TO LURE WATCHDOG TO SOME OTHER DANGEROUS DOGS.
THIS IS A DANGEROUS MATTER, INFACT EVEN MOHANS COLLEAGUES MAY BE LOOKING FOR WATCHDOG TO GET INFORMATION ON WHO WROTE THE ARTICLE SO THEY CAN DEAL WITH THEM.
IN MOHANS LANGUAGE, SO THAT ‘BAMU FAKE NA YAKE”
SIMEZA - November 13, 2010
11:32
those that are surprised by whats going on clearly havent followed mohans case.
some magistrates, judges, police commanders and even well placed gov’t officials are involved in some nasty dealings.
a lot of corruption, money for favours and those are the people watchdog must worry about.
quite alright it is zambias image and the govt at stake when it comes to the international community…but when watchdog is caught by these people no one will be able to defend them, because these guys can even shoot you.
mohans and his colleagues have had a lot of lawyers, police officers, judges and magistrates in their pockets and those are the people in the fore front pushing for watchdog prosecution.
malupenga requesting for that shows that post and membe are also in bed with some of the crooks. you can even see how nchito has jumped onto the case.
nchito also fears being implicated if simeza and the magistate/judges dealings come out.
your best chance ba watchdog is to expose these people, otherwise if you think bwezani will come to your rescue to protect his image you will be surprised.
bwezani is a well trained diplomat and he is capable of negotiating and convincing the international community that he is infact against your persecution and will not interfere but will let the independent judiciary deal with your case.
the matter is very complicated now that the judge has called for you and people are nolonger free to comment or take sides…my advice to you is the same, dig on these people and reveal.
play the cobra and mohans game, defend with damning questions…warn of more to come.
there are many people capable of running blogs if you disappear but few have ur record of being least bias
SIMEZA - November 13, 2010
11:26
Brian, you are a dog and pig. Which law of prejidice are you talking about? Journalists must be free to analyse issues. Judges are educated and are not expected to be swayed by what the media is saying. Unless you are saying we have retards in the judiciary. The Zambian sysyetm is different and does not depend on lay persons (jury) to decide matters. You warthog
Pelete - November 13, 2010
11:24
Sometimes am so ashamed to say am from Zambia when I meet colleagues here Ireland. With such, how can you say you are from this country. Lets hope we shall manage to change government next year
Peter Banda - November 13, 2010
11:20
But If you guys are honest with yourselves, dont you think that The law of Subjudice applies here? Commenting on a matter that is before the courts is illegal so it does not fall under the category of “just doing our work” If you have issues with the state or who ever, thats another story but what you did was Subjudice and the judge just wants you guys to go before him and defend yourselves.
“The truth shall set you free”
Brian - November 13, 2010
11:04
What kindof government is this? How can policemen be used by courts to kill journalists. Please don’t kill our reporters.
Milion - November 13, 2010
11:00
viva watchdog! we love you!
chinaman - November 13, 2010
10:59
My workmate fowarded me a report of zambian journalists being hunted in Zambia, i was shocked because us in Europe thought Zambia was better governed than Zimbabwe and Sudan? Shame. We shall help the journalists being persecuted
Christine - November 13, 2010
10:58
This is un-good for Zambia. Its dictatatorship at its worst. This is unacceptable and unfortunate
Maisenzelu - November 13, 2010
10:56
Welcome back and keep the flame burning.
Kibakimani - November 13, 2010
10:55
But which email was the judge talking about? Does the Watchdog send emails to judges? There is something fishy going on here. And if he closed his email, why is he complaining? It seems he closed the email before he received the article, so then why this barbaric order?
Boi Nyoni - November 13, 2010
10:55
This is why you Africans have been lagging behind other continents. How can you hunt journalists as if the are antelopes? Please us that money to tar roads and upgrade hospitals. Africans?
Mr. T. Jones - November 13, 2010
10:52
At least we in MMD now know which judges are working with the Post. The police won’t do anything about this unless they are paid by Malupenga. We are watching those trying to daint the image of his excellency by using courts and police officer to hunt journalists.
MMD worker - November 13, 2010
10:41
viva zwd aluta continua, do not worry u wont be caught pants down continue publishing we love your work and we are addicted coz u give us the best news, internet is bigger than power only i and a few computer geniuses can locate the computer the author used but not the author it ends there. Mohan is in trouble
The Great One - November 13, 2010
10:31
Simeza, I like your advice to the Watchdog to uncover the skeltons by their enemies. But who is really drammatizing things here? Is ZWD or the judge? Why involve soldiers and all security apparatus on a small publication like this one. The case may have been started by Malupenga, but it is now government persuicting these guys. And it government reputation being tarnished on the international scene. You see already international organisations like MLDI are involved. These are not small organisations and they write country reports which can damage the country. So Malupenga has achived two things, he has put his competitors on the edge using government, on the other hand, he has managed to get government be monitored by international organisations. From What I hear on the ground, a lot of international organisations inculding some governments are interested in this case. You know donors love such.So, if I was in government, I would tell the judge to behave himself and stop tarnishing the imga of Zambia. That, my freind, is where Rupiah comes in. He is the one to suffer in terms of good governance
Junta - November 13, 2010
10:21
I WILL ALSO ENCOURAGE TO SAFEGUARD YOUR FILES AND COVER YOUR TRACKS ESPECIALLY IF THERE IS ANYTHING POTENTIALLY DAMAGING
SIMEZA - November 13, 2010
09:36
ba watchdog you also need to get serious, lose some of the paranoia and lessen on the drama.
all of a sudden you are making a connection between a letter from membe’s cronie amos to rupiah banda??
quite alright many have not been pleased with your articles and i will be the first one to say we didnt expect them to.
i will also mention that you have always been good at staying unbias and reporting in a rather neutral manner most of the time although sometimes it has been questionable.
onto the case you have now, you know that that case is very dangerous. you heard the moneys involved and the style of executions those people practise.
no one knows exactly who is involved but the courts, police and many others are dirty in that issue.
post has very terrible partners and you need to begin to understand that they may also have been doing it on behalf of some of their friends.
post and their friends obviously want you gone and maybe even dead, this will be a serious test of your courage and you can only come out stronger.
for a long time you have enjoyed anonymity, you have enjoyed behind false names and a keyboard. you must see that it has been one of your greatest assets…so don’t fear.
be smart, use your position, your anonymity, your paper…the post has been doing it with kabwela, with issues on rupiah, with the pact and with sata.
you know who post supports, you know who is bringing issues against you, they are public people and you can dig info on them, you can access data on them.
use your paper do defend yourself.
reveal truths and skeletons about those after you.
you can even openly request for information which can be verified and can help you through the paper.
see what mohan has been trying to do, he is guilty of many things and all he is doing to defend himself is to try and discredit the prosecution.
amos has skeletons, membe has skeletons…infact even the IG has skeletons, judge phiri
dig on them, reveal issues or else will be left to read post alone.
SIMEZA - November 13, 2010
09:33
This is my favourite website. So killing it means I wont need to be on the internet based news. And why are these PF thugs (Mmembe and his gang of propagandists) against my site. We’re marching on. Viva watchdog
Gluco - November 13, 2010
09:27
Welcome back by favourite and only truly independent newspaper in Zambia. Don’t be intimidated. Be storng. This is how journalists are made. They are after you because your work is having an impact, otherwise they wouldn’t dare.
Muziona - November 13, 2010
09:00
ZWD, so you have international support? No wonder you are silly and stubborn. But I must admit I admire your courage even though I don’t agree with some of the stories you write.
Mbozi Zimba - November 13, 2010
08:58
Very African court indeed. Why cant they make such orders against people who still public money? People who rape small girls and Judges who are corrupt? Viva Watchdog.
Miki Man - November 13, 2010
08:57