The government has decided to suspend the broadcasts of radio station, Radio Mahafaly. The staff at the station, based in the central city of Antsirabé, were not given a reason for its suspension. The order came at the same time as the release of ten Radio Fahazavana employees who have been in pre-trial detention since 27 May on charges for inciting a revolt and rebellion.
Two documentary-makers were arrested and detained after filming at Donald Trump’s golf resort near Aberdeen. Anthony Baxter and Richard Phinney were investigating complaints about building works on the site when Trump’s organisation accused them of entering offices and filming without permission. The two men were arrested for breach of the peace and held for four hours. Their camera equipment was retained by police for five days. Baxter and Phinney deny the allegations.
This is not the first time critics of the golf course have been given a hostile reception. On 31 August, long-standing opponent of the resort, Councillor Debra Storr, was ousted from the area committee debating Trump’s planning applications. A leading councillor lost his job in 2007 after voting against the original plans.
A Scottish missionary, who was jailed in 2008 for criticising the Gambian president, has been released. David Fulton was charged with sedition after emails he sent to friends in the UK were deemed offensive to President Yahya Jammeh. The 61-year-old and his wife spent 20 months in the notorious Mile 2 prison, facing hard labour and solitary confinement. The couple were also fined £6250 each.
Zimbabwe’s government has banned South African group Freshlyground over a music video that portrays President Mugabe as a chicken afraid to relinquish power. The video that accompanies the song “Chicken To Change” represents the president in the style of satirical show Spitting Image. The song is a product of the band’s collaboration with controversial cartoonist Jonathan Zapiro. Freshlyground was due to perform a concert in Harare next month, but members of the group have now had their working visas revoked.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdf2lBIe4Ac