US JOURNALIST GOES INTO HIDING

By
Lovemore Mataire

A Zimbabwe-based United States journalist, Andrew Meldrum, has gone into hiding after immigration officials swooped on him in a renewed attempt to deport him. Meldrum is a correspondent for Britain's Guardian newspaper and has worked in Zimbabwe for 22 years, which made him qualify for permanent residency.

He was not at his home when immigration officers visited his home on a Wednesday night intending to interview him. However, his lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa, has protested against the search, saying that the immigration officers should first clarify in writing the reasons for wanting to interview her client. She said Meldrum would stay at an undisclosed location until the officials spell out why they are looking for him.

"Until then, he will remain at an undisclosed location. Meldrum remains willing to answer questions to bona fide officials, provided they follow proper legal procedures, which require them to state their enquiry up front," said the lawyer.

Last year, the High Court suspended a deportation order against Meldrum after he was acquitted on a charge of breaching the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act and referred the matter to the Supreme Court for determination. []