/ 27 May 2000

ZAMBIAN JOURNALISTS’ CASE POSTPONED

ELEVEN journalists, all of who were working for the privately owned “Post” newspaper at the time of their arrest, appeared in the Lusaka High Court on May 24 for continued trial for espionage. The case dates back to March 10 last year when police began a general swoop against reporters from the newspaper after it published a story which questioned Zambia’s ability to withstand an attack from Angola at a time when relations between the two countries had soured. The 11 accused included “Post” newspapers editor-in-chief Fred M’membe, and journalists Joe Kaunda, Douglas Hampande, Reuben Phiri, Macpherson Muyumba, Brighton Phiri, Lubasi Katundu and Liseli Kayumba. The case was adjourned to June 19.