/ 27 January 1999

PROBE OF ZIM JOURNOS’ TORTURE

ZIMBABWEAN attorney general said on Wednesday that he will order an investigation into the torture in detention of two journalists. Chinamasa said he will direct police to investigate accusations by Mark Chavunduka (34) editor of the independent Standard newspaper, and reporter Ray Choto (36) that they were tortured by the military after reporting on an alleged coup attempt by army officers. Chinamasa also takes “very seriousl” claims that Defence Minister Moven Mahachi and other state officials were in contempt of court when they ignored two high court orders to release Chavunduka from illegal detention in a military barracks two weeks ago.