Jose Gama questioning an unsurprising development

Jose Gama, the South-African based Angolan journalist is a prominent contributor on the anti-government site Club-K.net – a website filled with articles written by the Angolan diaspora.

The two articles that appear to have landed Pretoria-based Gama in hot water were “PGR Strangles the Valentim Amões Group,” from June 16, and ”PGR takes revenge on Lídia Amões,” from June 24.

The publications, filled with their usual amounts of anti-government vitriol, led to Gama being detained and interrogated by the National Directorate of Investigation and Penal Action (DNIAP).

Unsurprisingly, both Club-K.Net and Maka Angola – another anti-government website, which is run by Angolan journalist Rafael Marques de Morais – have attempted to brush off Gama’s detention as intimidation tactics.

In an article published on the Maka Angola website on Friday, July 24, entitled ‘Being Friends can be Dangerous in Angola’, Gama said: “I explained to the DNIAP that Club-K is a website of the diaspora based in the United States of America and that the questions should be directed to their management. The authorities should check the internet to find out where the website is based.”

He continued: “I asked them why they were asking about Mr Rafael Marques and what my connection to him has to do with the case, but they didn’t answer. I find it very strange that I should be called to respond to a complaint from the attorney-general of the Republic, just to be asked if I know Rafael Marques de Morais, in a meaningless case.”

Unfortunately for Gama, his charge sheet for similar indiscretions in the past somewhat undermines his claims of innocence.

He has been charged in the past for the insult or slander of a government official on more than one occasion, and had a travel ban imposed upon him.

It was also interesting to note Maka Angola’s response to Gama’s detention. As well as publishing details of the episode, they also attempted to draw attention to the case of business woman Lídia Amões, who also has had a travel ban imposed upon her in what Maka Angola have attempted to portray as a ‘house arrest’.

Discussing Amões’ case in the Gama article smells suspiciously of being a diversionary tactic. Amões’ detention has nothing to do with Gama, while it also conveniently channels attention away from de Morais’ own chequered background.

Earlier this year, he was handed a suspended prison sentence to go with the 43 days he spent behind bars in 1999 – both for defamation.

These facts are conveniently ignored in the ‘defence’ of Gama. Perhaps in the name of a more balanced article, someone should make both Maka Angola and Club-K.net aware of these ‘oversights’.