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December 6, 1999
His Excellency President Robert Mugabe
Office of the President
Munhumutapa Building
Samora Machel Avenue/ 3rd Street
Harare, Zimbabwe
VIA FAX: 011-263-4-708-820
Your Excellency:
The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) is deeply concerned about recent death threats against
Sunday Standard reporter Ray Choto.
The threats began in November, shortly after Choto returned to Zimbabwe after collecting an
international press freedom award in Canada, along with his colleague Mark Chavunduka, editor of the
Sunday Standard. On November 21 a package arrived at Choto's home in Harare, containing a teddy
bear, two live bullets, and a note threatening him and his family. Two other independent journalists,
Basildon Peta of the Financial Gazette and Ibbo Mandaza of the Zimbabwe Mirror, received
anonymous threats at around the same time.
Eight days later, an unsigned letter arrived at Choto's office, informing him that he was being
trailed and detailing his precise movements on a certain day. Part of the letter reportedly read, "we
nearly pulled the trigger, but you should thank the lady who came to speak to you." The letter also
warned Choto that he was still being followed.
The most recent threat was against Choto's wife, Girlie. An anonymous letter addressed to her
arrived at the Choto residence on the night of December 1. The letter referred to an incident on
November 13, when unknown men in a car harassed Girlie on her way home.
CPJ has written to Your Excellency on two previous occasions this year, on January 23 and
September 29, protesting the January 12 illegal detention and subsequent severe torture by government
agents of both Choto and Chavunduka. This brutal attack followed a report in the Sunday
Standard newspaper that soldiers had plotted to remove Your Excellency from power because of
alleged economic mismanagement, and because of Zimbabwe's military involvement in the war in the
Democratic Republic of Congo. The two journalists were charged with publishing false information
"likely to cause fear and despondency" under Section 50(2) of the widely discredited Law and Order
Maintenance Act of 1960. To date, CPJ has not received a reply to either of these letters.
While Choto and Chavunduka have challenged the validity of the law under which they have been
charged, the Supreme Court has yet to rule on the issue. And the Supreme Court challenge is only one
of several court cases filed since the two journalists were arrested. Others include civil and
criminal charges against the police and military for wrongful arrest, detention, assault and torture.
CPJ fears the recent death threats against Choto may be related to these court cases. (Chavunduka is
currently in the USA.)
As a non-partisan organization dedicated to the defense of press freedom worldwide, CPJ
respectfully reminds Your Excellency of your government's responsibility to ensure that journalists
may practice their profession without fear of reprisal or attack. We strongly urge Your Excellency to
ensure that these death threats are thoroughly and impartially investigated, and that the perpetrators
are brought to justice, so that all journalists in Zimbabwe may work in safety.
Sincerely,
Ann K. Cooper
Executive Director
Join CPJ in
Protesting Attacks on the Press in Zimbabwe
Send a letter to:
His Excellency President Robert Mugabe
Office of the President
Munhumutapa Building
Samora Machel Avenue/ 3rd Street
Harare, Zimbabwe
VIA FAX: 011-263-4-708-820
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