Uruguayan journalist expelled

Uruguayan journalist Mercedes Sayagues, a reporter based in Zimbabwe for South Africa's 'The Mail and Guardian', had her work permit denied and was expelled from the country after nine years, the government daily 'The Herald' said on Friday. The newspaper said that Sayagues left for South Africa on Thursday after being served an order from immigration authorities to abandon the country within 24 hours. The newspaper said that Sayagues was unable to re-enter the country, despite the fact that her nine-year-old daughter, a student at a Harare elementary school, remained in Zimbabwe under the care of friends. It added that Zimbabwe authorities provided no reasons for denying Sayagues a work permit. In one of her most recent stories, Sayagues denounced what she described as the persecution of journalists by "independence war veterans".