Two Guardian executives, who had flown to Harare to make representations on behalf of the newspaper’s Zimbabwe correspondent, Andrew Meldrum, were yesterday ordered to leave within 24 hours.
Shaun Williams, director of corporate affairs, and Siobhain Butterworth, head of legal affairs, were told by immigration officials that their 30-day visas had been revoked because they had not sought prior permission from the home minister before entering the country to discuss a sensitive issue. They were also told that they had filled in their visa applications incorrectly.
The decision followed discussions earlier in the day at which the chief immigration officer, Elasto Mugwadi, agreed to meet Meldrum’s lawyers on Monday. Government officials say Meldrum is ”wanted for questioning”.
The two Guardian executives flew to Zimbabwe because they suspect the authorities are attempting to deport Meldrum. They had been told they could attend the Monday meeting. It was not clear if the immigration officials were aware of the agreed meeting.
On Wednesday, after dark, a column of four cars of immigration officers arrived unannounced at Meldrum’s home. He was not there.
Beatrice Mtetwa, his lawyer, said such night-time approaches ”invariably led to arrest, detention and deportation”. Letters have been sent to the immigration service confirming Meldrum’s willingness to be interviewed in working hours at its Harare offices, once he is told what the questioning is about.
Yesterday Meldrum (51) an American citizen and one of the last international journalists in Zimbabwe, attended a party at the EU ambassador’s residence in Harare. He has reported from Zimbabwe for 22 years.
Last year he was one of the first journalists prosecuted under new media laws; a Harare magistrate acquitted him of allegations that he published false information about Zimbabwe. The law has been criticised by civil rights groups as an attempt to stifle criticism of President Robert Mugabe’s government.
Meldrum said yesterday: ”The government thinks that, by trying to intimidate or deport me, or prevent me from working, they will also prevent other journalists who are doing great work.”
Williams said last night that he and Butterworth had filled in their visa applications correctly and declared the purpose of their visit. – Guardian Unlimited Â