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Foreign journalists arrested and barred from filming food queue
Media Institute of Southern Africa - Zimbabwe Chapter (MISA-Zimbabwe)
February 27, 2003

Two Dutch journalists Raymond Bouuman and Pim Hauinkels were arrested (yesterday) on 26 February in the city of Bulawayo for filming a bread queue. The two work for the Dutch TV Journal ITL5.

The two journalists were taken in for questioning by the police before being released in about an hour. Bouuman told MISA-Zimbabwe from Bulawayo that they were filming a bread queue near the Holiday Inn hotel were they are staying. He said that they are in Zimbabwe to cover the world cup cricket match between Zimbabwe and Holland. Bouuman informed MISA-Zimbabwe that they were filming the queue to give their viewers a general understanding and impression of the life in the city that is hosting the match. The two are accredited to cover the match.

According to Bouuman, the police who he believes to be camped at the Holiday Inn hotel barred the two from filming the queue. They were taken to a room at the back of the hotel were they were questioned on why they were taking the films. They were told that they should stop filming any queues, as this was not allowed. The police informed the two that the queue was for people looking for jobs and not a food queue. The police also informed the two that they must not think that there is a shortage of food in Zimbabwe as Zimbabwe had enough food for the next 20 years. In the same room, the identity numbers of the two were taken down by the police. Bouuman said that before they left, the police enquired on what they would do next and also the day they will be leaving. Bouuman said that they would be leaving Zimbabwe on 1 March. Bouuman also said that since yesterday they are being trailed by people they believe to be police or intelligence officers. A police officer at the Bulawayo Central police refused to answer questions on this incident saying they are not aware of it. Access to the Member in Charge was also denied.

For more information:
Rashweat Mukundu Research and Information Officer MISA-Zimbabwe
E mail: misa@mweb.co.zw

Visit the MISA-Zimbabwe fact sheet

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