Asylum seeking journalist prefers Botswana prison to Zimbabwe

By Lance Guma
06 July 2007

A Zimbabwean journalist who formerly worked for the state media says he prefers to remain in a Botswana prison rather than go back home, following the refusal of his asylum application. Ever since his application was turned down in 2002 David Mpofu has been in detention for 5 years at Jerald Estate Prison, 20 kilometres outside Francistown. The Association of Zimbabwe Journalists in the UK report on their website that Mpofu fears for his life in Zimbabwe, following death threats after he published an article exposing electoral rigging by Mugabe’s regime. He worked for the government controlled Herald newspaper before becoming an editor with the now defunct Plumtree Post.

James Mushandu, a relative of Mpofu who escaped from the same prison, told the website that despite poor living conditions the journalist has opted to stay there rather than face certain death in Zimbabwe. Mpofu says after covering a story on vote rigging in 2002 he received numerous death threats from Zanu PF supporters and state security agents. This prompted him to escape into Botswana and attempt to seek political asylum there. Mashandu also told of how Mpofu’s health was fast deteriorating because of the poor conditions in the cells.

Illegal immigrants due to be deported from any country are normally kept in detention facilities, but Mashandu insists the facility where Mpofu is being held also houses common criminals. He says the place is notorious for the abuse of prisoners by prison guards and officials. Shaban Ramadan, a Burundian who tried to escape the detention centre and claim asylum elsewhere, was allegedly gunned down by guards. Officials in Botswana have up to now refused to discuss Mpofu’s case. Forward Maisokwadzo, one of the coordinators of the Association of Zimbabwe Journalists in the UK, says they are now investigating the matter to see if they can intervene and help Mpofu.

According to figures released on World Refugee Day last month, out of 243 journalists who fled their countries, half of them came from just five countries: Zimbabwe, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Colombia and Uzbekistan. The Committee to Protect Journalists estimates that 3 journalists a month flee their home countries fearing threats of violence, prison or harassment. Only one in seven ever return.