Zambia 'deports' writer over slur

Insulting President Mwanawasa means insulting the Zambia people

A British writer based in Zambia is to be deported after allegedly insulting the president, the authorities say.

Roy Clarke last week wrote a satirical column in which he referred to President Levy Mwanawasa as a "foolish elephant" and two ministers as "baboons".

He had 24 hours to leave, said Home Affairs Minister Ronnie Shikapwasha.

Mr Clarke, who is married to a Zambian women's rights activist and has permanent residency, says he has not been informed of the order.

The article, published in The Post newspaper, was based on George Orwell's Animal Farm.

He compared Zambia's leaders to animals after Mr Mwanawasa had visited a game park.

"When you insult the president, you insult the people he represents. He should go back and start writing about his own people," said home affairs permanent secretary Peter Mumba.

Fred Mmembe, the publisher of The Post, which has had several run-ins with the government, said he would take responsibility for the article.