1 zimbabwe election support network [zesn] - Nehanda Radio

At the national public broadcaster, seven senior journalists were reportedly sent on forced
leave, their suspension occurring amid earlier reports that ZANU PF had demanded a total
monopoly of the radio and television airwaves in the run-up to the poll. The decision also came
hard on the heels of the sacking of ZBC’s chief executive, Henry Muradzikwa, for allegedly
failing to provide sufficient support for ZANU PF’s campaign in the March 29 elections, and
defying ministerial orders to deny the MDC favorable coverage.
Also disquieting was the decision to suspend PVO and NGO field operations in a circular dated
4 June 2008, a suspension effected allegedly because organizations were breaching the terms
and conditions of their registration. This clamp down on civil society involvement in politics has
unfortunately shifted the focus of civil society from their humanitarian mandates as they
grappled with survival issues at a time when the need is at its most. Civil society offices were
raided, lawyers fled while journalists were raided.
ZESN under Siege
ZESN also came under fire, accused of rigging elections and working in cohorts with MDC.
Incidentally since the time ZESN announced projections for the presidential election on 31
March 2008 which had clearly showed Morgan Tsvangirai securing more votes than Robert
Gabriel Mugabe, its members, staff, management and leadership reportedly became subject to
a campaign of intimidation by the government. For the 29 March Election, the Minister of
Justice, Parliamentary and Legal Affairs approved ZESN accreditation of 11 808 observers and
8 667 observers were duly accredited by the ZEC. Furthermore, ZESN observers had also
received training and signed a code of conduct which bound them to conduct themselves in a
partisan manner.
Following the outcome of the Senate and House of Assembly results as well as speculations
around presidential results, a number of ZESN observers were reportedly beaten while some
had their houses torched. Among those victimized was the ZESN Director, Rindai Chipfunde-
Vava who was detained for 45 minutes at the Harare International Airport on 15 th April 2008.
ZESN National offices were also raided by the police on 25 April 2008 allegedly searching for
subversive material that would be used to unseat the government unconstitutionally. The police
reportedly ordered all staff members to vacate their offices, sit in the boardroom and comply
with their requests like giving passwords for computers, unlocking all offices and providing
information they needed. After a thorough perusal of ZESN Documents, files and scanning of
computers, the police confiscated a number of ZESN documents. They also took its program
Manager who was subsequently detained at Harare Central Police Station for 6 hours by police
for questioning. The home of ZESN’s National Director was also raided by the police on 25 th of
April while ZESN’s Chairperson, Noel Kututwa and the National Director were required for three
days running from[28 to 30 April 2008] to make themselves available at Harare Central Police
Station to answer questions and furnish the police with statement explaining a number of
issues. The two were also questioned extensively specifically on ZESN election monitoring and
observation of 28 March 2008 Harmonized Elections. Particular focus was on the Network’s
projections of the presidential results. Police further requested the two to provide written
statements of ZESN’s voter education program explaining their duties and roles, ZESN’s
relations with ZEC before, during and after the election, ZESN’s relationship with the National
Democratic Institute [NDI and also ZESN’s financial statements and vouchers, actual number
of ZESN accredited observers, its establishment and funding partners amongst a plethora of
other things.
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