MDC Disgusted At The Decision To Deport Andrew Meldrum

[zakanaka]

MDC Press

16 May 2003

MDC Disgusted At The Decision To Deport Andrew Meldrum

Today's obscene decision by the illegitimate Mugabe regime to deport
the Guardian's Zimbabwe correspondent Andrew Meldrum, is another nail
in the coffin for press freedom in Zimbabwe. It represents another
desperate move to conceal the reality of the politically induced
crisis engulfing the country from the outside world.

Meldrum's only crime is to expose to the world the true horror of
Robert Mugabe's tyranny in Zimbabwe. He is being punished for
courageously honouring his professional duty as a journalist to write
the truth.

The decision to expel Meldrum is a clear signal from the Mugabe regime
that, despite recent assurances, they have no tolerance for core
democratic values such as freedom of speech.

The regime should realise that expelling journalists who write the
truth simply serves expose the sheer level of tyranny and undemocratic
practices that they are perpetrating in Zimbabwe.

Not only has Andrew Meldrum been deported, he was also forced to
suffer the indignity of being man-handled by the authorities. Such
disgusting antics underline the horrendous reality of Robert Mugabe's
Zimbabwe.

Those inside and outside Zimbabwe who dogmatically provide succour to
Mugabe on the grounds that he is still presiding over a functioning
democracy should ask themselves: What democratic country harasses and
deports a journalist for discharging his basic duties? What democratic
country fears and systematically attempts to destroy the independent
press? What democratic country tortures innocent civilians and denies
them food aid as punishment for their political affiliation?

The answer to these questions is abundantly clear: Zimbabwe is not a
functioning democracy. Andrew Meldrum's expulsion is yet another
testament to this. Zimbabwe now represents a fully functioning
autocracy which regards democracy in all its forms with overt
contempt.

Paul Themba Nyathi

MDC Secretary for Information & Publicity

[sorites]

Apparently High Court Judge Charles Hungwe ordered a stop to Meldrum's
deportation??

"zakanaka" <lala...@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3ec5d...@news1.mweb.co.za...

[zakanaka]

Yup, so they ttok no notice and kidnapped him. Paranoia again from a tired
old despot whose days are clearly numbered
"sorites" <sor...@wwnet.com> wrote in message
news:3ec71b60$0$2...@hades.is.co.za...