/ 25 February 1999

COURT SUBPOENAS ZIM DEFENCE MINISTER

A ZIMBABWEAN high court has ordered Defence Minister Moven Mahachi on Wednesday to appear on Friday to face charges of contempt of court after he ignored three court orders to release Standard editor, Mark Chavunduka, from detention. Chavunduka and a senior reporter, Ray Choto, are facing charges of contravening section 50 of the colonial Law and Order Maintenance Act arising from their January 10 article that said 23 soldiers had been arrested in a foiled coup attempt. The government has denied the allegations. Zimbabwe’s Attorney General’s office has been notified of the order and says they are ready for the courts.