BBC correspondent Joseph Winter and South African journalist have beenexpelled from Zimbabwe in the latest government moves against the media, judiciary and opposition.
"The immigration officials said they were giving me 24 hours to leave the country, and when I said I needed time to wind up my affairs, they indicated I could leave on Monday or Tuesday at the latest," Mr Winter said.
Ms Mercedes Sayagues of the South African newspaper The Mail and Guardian, was initiallybarred from re-entering the country Saturday when she returned froma two-day visit to South Africa.
"First they refused me entry and wanted me to fly back to SouthAfrica. It was only after I pleaded that I wanted to re-unite withnine-year-old daughter that they gave me 24 hours to leave thecountry,'' Ms Sayagues told reporters at Harare airport.
``I am only one of those suffering, and that involves a generalonslaught on the judiciary, the rural people of Zimbabwe,'' Sayaguessaid.
Mr Winter said he was launching legal action against the expulsionwhile his office would write a protest letter to the Zimbabwegovernment. "We are appealing and protesting,'' he said.
A correspondent for the BBC's African service in Harare for the last four years, Mr Winter said he had been invited to the immigration service early today to be told the government had cancelled his work permit. Winter said the BBC would launch a court challenge against his expulsion.
The government of President Robert Mugabe has been stepping up a campaign against the independent press and judiciary in recent weeks ahead of presidential elections next year as the country sinks deeper into economic crisis.
Government officials were not available for immediate comment.
Reuters