Increased Activity by Zimbabwe Police to Silence Critics... Is this a prelude to March 2005?

Freeafrica (January 12, 2005)
Editorial By Scott Morgan

In Recent weeks there has been an increase in activity by the Zimbabwe National Police (ZNP) to silence those who criticize the Government. One of the areas where this has taken place is their use against the remaining Independent Media Outlets the Zimbabwe Independent and the Standard. Both Publications are owned by Trevor Ncube and have in recent weeks have had journalists questioned about items published that are critical of the current regime. The Standard has received threats by the Media and Information Commission (MIC) after printing a photograph of President Mugabe adjusting his trousers.

A letter coming from the Office of the Secretary of State for Information and Publicity claimed that “ the use of the photograph by the Standard is extremely mischievous and represents a deliberate denigration of the highest office in the Country”. The letter also criticized the paper for a “editorial disposition for anti-Zimbabwe and anti-Mugabe orientation. The letter further claimed that the photograph sought to “caricature, belittle and undermine the dignity of the Head of State”. The author of the letter J Neusu filed an earlier complaint about the Standard to the MIC. That letter complained about the “reportage by the Standard and its sister paper the Zimbabwe Independent is characterized by outrageous lies and claims underpinning misrepresentation of facts.” The editor of the Standard said “ The Complaints defy logic.”

In another crucial and uniquely timed event which could be construed as another attempt by the ruling Zimbabwe African National Union-Patriotic Front (ZANU-PF) to remain in Power by stealing an election for control of the Zimbabwean Parliament, Four members of the Institute for Democracy in South Africa(IDASA) were recently detained by the Police. The Arrests were made in conjunction with a Interdenominational Prayer Meeting that occurred in Gweru. The police stated that IDASA facilitated an illegal meeting. Under the Draconian Public Order and Security Act (POSA) any meeting of more than 5 people needs the permission of the Police Department. This has been used with great success to keep the Opposition from having any rallies or protests.
It has also been used against Trade Unions also.

There is a reason to explain these actions however. Earlier this week the website www.zimonline.co.za reported that police officers were ordered to take mandatory political indoctrination classes. The use of the police by the Government has been a problem since the myriad of political crises began in 2000. The proper function of the police is to ensure the rule of law not to silence voices of criticism. This shows that ZANU-PF members are willing to take any steps to remain in power. This means that the people of Zimbabwe have no means of redress for complaints. But it is an effective reelection strategy