/ 4 January 2001

ENGINEER IN DOCK FOR INSULTING MUGABE

AN audio and lighting engineer faces possible imprisonment for allegedly insulting Zimbabwe’s president during a holiday music show. State prosecutors said Stephen Schadendorf, 35, turned spotlights on a portrait of President Robert Mugabe during a song construed as critical of Mugabe, prompting thousands of music fans to cheer and clamor for Mugabe’s ousting. Schadendorf was charged with inciting hatred and ridicule against Mugabe, 76, under security laws carrying a maximum penalty of five years in jail and a fine of 1_000 Zimbabwe dollars.