MDC Press
16 May 2003
MDC Disgusted At The Decision To Deport Andrew Meldrum
Today's obscene decision by the illegitimate Mugabe regime to deport the Guardian's Zimbabwe correspondent Andrew Meldrum, is another nail in the coffin for press freedom in Zimbabwe. It represents another desperate move to conceal the reality of the politically induced crisis engulfing the country from the outside world.
Meldrum's only crime is to expose to the world the true horror of Robert Mugabe's tyranny in Zimbabwe. He is being punished for courageously honouring his professional duty as a journalist to write the truth.
The decision to expel Meldrum is a clear signal from the Mugabe regime that, despite recent assurances, they have no tolerance for core democratic values such as freedom of speech.
The regime should realise that expelling journalists who write the truth simply serves expose the sheer level of tyranny and undemocratic practices that they are perpetrating in Zimbabwe.
Not only has Andrew Meldrum been deported, he was also forced to suffer the indignity of being man-handled by the authorities. Such disgusting antics underline the horrendous reality of Robert Mugabe's Zimbabwe.
Those inside and outside Zimbabwe who dogmatically provide succour to Mugabe on the grounds that he is still presiding over a functioning democracy should ask themselves: What democratic country harasses and deports a journalist for discharging his basic duties? What democratic country fears and systematically attempts to destroy the independent press? What democratic country tortures innocent civilians and denies them food aid as punishment for their political affiliation?
The answer to these questions is abundantly clear: Zimbabwe is not a functioning democracy. Andrew Meldrum's expulsion is yet another testament to this. Zimbabwe now represents a fully functioning autocracy which regards democracy in all its forms with overt contempt.
Paul Themba Nyathi
MDC Secretary for Information & Publicity
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