Zambia: Columnist comes out of hiding
The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) has confirmed that Roy Clarke, a columnist for "The Post" newspaper, has come out of hiding following a 13 January Lusaka High Court ruling allowing him to continue enjoying his status as a permanent Zambian resident until the court hears the case in which he is challenging his deportation order. In an interview, Clarke expressed hope that he will not be harassed until his case goes to court on 26 January. This follows a furore following publication of a satirical story in his "The Spectator" column, published in "The Post" newspaper. In the story, Clarke used animal figures, including monkeys, giraffes and baboons, in a satirical commentary on the current social, economic and political situation in Zambia.
News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT UPDATE - ZAMBIA
14 January 2004
Columnist allowed to stay in country
SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek
**Updates IFEX alert of 6 January 2003**
(MISA/IFEX) - MISA has confirmed that Roy Clarke, a columnist for "The Post"
newspaper, has come out of hiding following a 13 January 2004 Lusaka High
Court ruling allowing him to continue enjoying his status as a permanent
Zambian resident until the court hears the case in which he is challenging
his deportation order.
In an 14 January interview with Radio Phoenix, Clarke expressed hope that he
will not be harassed until his case goes to court on 26 January. He called
for respect for freedom of expression as enshrined in the Zambian
Constitution.
Lusaka High Court Judge Phillip Musonda made the 13 January ruling following
an application by Clarke's lawyer, Patrick Matibini. Matibini sought
clarification from the government regarding Clarke's residential status in
view of an injunction obtained on 5 January restraining the government from
deporting the columnist. The application was prompted by concerns over some
government officials' statements that Clarke should apply for a temporary
residence permit if he wanted to legally stay in Zambia.
BACKGROUND:
On 5 January, Home Affairs Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha gave Clarke 24 hours
to leave Zambia, following the 1 January publication of a satirical story in
his "The Spectator" column, published in "The Post" newspaper. In the story,
Clarke used animal figures, including monkeys, giraffes and baboons, in a
satirical commentary on the current social, economic and political situation
in Zambia, in a style similar to author George Orwell's novel, "Animal
Farm".
Clarke, who is married to a Zambian and has lived in the country since 1962,
has been in hiding since 5 January, fearing deportation. His deportation
order will be challenged in a 26 January hearing.
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 update is the sole responsibility of
MISA. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit
MISA.
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