‘Hit list’ reporter tells of police station ordeal

The Zimbabwean journalist who is reported to be top of President Robert Mugabe’s hit list today told of his fears when he was questioned by police in Harare.

Basildon Peta, 30, who writes for the Independent in London as well as the Zimbabwe Financial Gazette, told PA News that despite the intimidation, he intends to stay in his homeland.

‘‘It’s a very difficult decision to make, to leave your country. I’m going to stay and do my job, but I will be careful,’’ he pledged.

Earlier today Mr Peta attended a police station in Harare.

‘‘First of all they came to my workplace but I wasn’t there. They left a message telling me to go to the station.

‘‘My lawyers spoke to them and insisted that I was not coming to the police station unless they allowed them to come too. Eventually they agreed.’’

Asked if he had ever felt in fear for his life during the ordeal, Mr Peta replied: ‘‘I was concerned. I was going into a police station where my colleagues have ended up in cells.’’

Mr Peta said he was questioned about death threats made against him and about his public statements criticising the Zimbabwean police.

‘‘They wanted me to tell them about who was behind the death threats but I don’t know, they were anonymous.

‘‘They also questioned me about a statement I made that the police were applying the law selectively.’’

Earlier this week another Zimbabwean newspaper, The Standard, published a list of the journalists who, it said, were being targeted by President Mugabe’s regime.

Mr Peta’s name was at the top.

Dozens of foreign correspondents have been forced to leave Zimbabwe including BBC journalist Joseph Winter who was expelled from the country earlier this year.

Nine white farmers and dozens of opposition supporters have been killed under the regime.

Today Mr Peta refused to soften his stance and insisted that President Mugabe was taking his country ‘‘backwards’’.

‘‘He wants to stay in power, this is why he’s causing a problem for everyone he perceives as an opponent.

‘‘I am not anybody’s opponent, I am a journalist. My job is to tell the truth.’’

Mr Peta called on the international community to take action.

‘‘The international community should play a more important role in helping the situation in Zimbabwe.’’