N🚫 PRESS FREEDOM UNDER THE DICTATORSHIP RULE IN ZIMBABWE - By Basil Kamombe

 3rd May 2024

Zimbabwe has experienced progressive shrinkage of democratic space over the past nearly four and half decades of ZANU-PF rule.

This has been achieved through the enactment of a plethora of draconian laws, examples of which are the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill (Commonly referred to as “The Patriotic Act), purportedly designed to outlaw what they broadly call “unpatriotic acts”, which essentially include criticising the President or the government of Zimbabwe from abroad, the Private Voluntary Organisations Act (PVO), the Maintenance of Public Order Act (MOPO) and the Cyber and Data Protection Act of 2021.

The Fourth Estate, as some would call the press and news media, has borne the brunt of ZANU-PF and the draconian laws. The main reason is that the press and news media tend to tell it as it is, and yet the truth makes ZANU-PF very uncomfortable.

Critiquing the government or reporting on sensitive issues has led to the persecution of journalists and the destruction of media houses.

Some examples include:

1.     The sustained persecution of journalists like Hopewell Chin’ono and Mduduzi Mathuthu. The two have been arrested multiple times for their investigative reporting, particularly on corruption and human rights abuses.

2.     Blessed Mhlanga, Chengeto Chidi, Hope Chizuzu, Garikai Mafirakureva, Annahstacia Ndlovu, Pamenus Tuso, and Lungelo Ndlovu are among the growing list of journalists arrested and hounded by the State in a bid to silence the private media completely.

3.     The intimidation and harassment of journalists by authorities, including surveillance, threats, and physical violence, consequently, create a climate of fear and self-censorship.

4.     The shutting down of independent media outlets, such as the Daily News, for critical reporting. This limits the diversity of voices and restricts access to information.

5.     Restrictive laws like the Private Voluntary Organisations Act (PVO), the Maintenance of Public Order Act (MOPO) and the Cyber and Data Protection Act of 2021 have been used to silence dissent and control the media. The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill (Commonly referred to as “The Patriotic Act) even goes as far as prescribing the death penalty.

These examples illustrate the challenges faced by journalists who strive to uphold press freedom and hold those in power accountable in Zimbabwe.

Emmerson Mnangagwa has iron-fistedly ensured that only government-controlled media houses like ZBC/ZTV can broadcast and publications like The Herald and The Chronicle can disseminate news through print.

Of course, this aids Emmerson Mnangagwa’s dynasty-building effort and ZANU-PF’s push for totalitarian rule via a One-Party State.

As the world celebrates World Press Freedom Day today, May 3rd, 2024, in Zimbabwe, we mourn the absence of press freedom and freedom of speech.

About the author
Basil Kamombe is a Zimbabwean human rights activist based in the United Kingdom. He is the Deputy Secretary for Information & Publicity for the UK Chapter of Restoration of Human Rights (ROHR) Zimbabwe. He can be contacted via email and mobile phone details below;-

basil.kamombe@rohr-zimbabwe.org
+447565726052

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