Download - Media Institute of Southern Africa

State of the media in Southern Africa 2002
2002
180 So This Is Democracy?
ing himself, allegations of political victimisation
of prison officers who support
the opposition, and the story on
the assassination attempt of “The Daily
News”’s editor-in-chief by intelligence
officer Bernard Masala.
“Whilst it is known that media
houses are in business, they must not
generate profits out of false reports that
discredit security organisations, which
are sensitive by nature and have rights
like any other institutions,” said
Zvinavashe. “In these cited stories, no
iota of evidence was provided. We are
therefore advising all citizens of Zimbabwe
that the full force of the law will
meet any reports and actions designed
to create instability in Zimbabwe. This
will include enforcement, where it is
deemed necessary. Individuals will be
answerable for their actions,” he
warned.
“The law will take its place to ensure
that Zimbabwe’s independence,
territorial integrity and sovereignty -
which to [a] large extent depend on upholding
the values and good name of
the security organisations - are preserved,”
warned Zvinavashe. He added
that there was therefore a need to respect
the security forces, which were
constitutionally established to safeguard
Zimbabwe’s hard-won independence.
A failure to do so would result
in instability, lawlessness and ultimately
anarchy, he said.
At the same press conference,
Zvinavashe announced that the army
would not support any president who
does not suit their requirements. In
apparent reference to the leader of the
opposition Movement for Democratic
Change, Morgan Tsvangirai,
Zvinavashe said the army would not
accept, support and salute any president
who did not fight in the war of
independence.
“We wish to make it very clear to
all Zimbabwean citizens that the security
organisations will only stand in
support of those political leaders that
will pursue Zimbabwean values, traditions
and beliefs, for which thousands
of lives were lost, in pursuit of
Zimbabwe’s hard-won independence,
sovereignty, territorial integrity and national
interests,” said Zvinavashe. “To
this end, let it be known that the highest
office in the [country] is a straitjacket,
whose occupant must observe
the objectives of the liberation struggle.
We will therefore not accept, let
alone support anyone, or salute anyone,
with a different agenda that threatens
the very existence of our sovereignty,
our country and our people,”
he added.
ALERT
DATE: 2002-01-14
INSTITUTION(S): Media in Zimbabwe
VIOLATION(S): Legislation
On Thursday January 10, 2002, the
Zimbabwean Parliament passed the
Public Order and Security Bill, which
contains repressive provisions on the
operations of the media. The bill was
passed after a vote was taken, pitting
the ruling Zimbabwe African National
Union - Patriotic Front (ZANU-
PF) party against the opposition
Movement for Democratic Change
(MDC). MDC members of parliament
opposed the bill but lost the vote.
The bill now awaits President
Robert Mugabe’s signature before it
is put into effect. Parliament pushed
the controversial bill through despite