THE move by the Zimbabwe Republic Police to cancel the planned march by journalists and media workers marking World Press Freedom Day on Saturday must be condemned as it showed police’s disregard of the country’s supreme laws.
What is more is the fact that the opaque reasons by the police to stop an event approved by another arm of government is a big step backwards for Zimbabwe hence there is need to not only censure the force, but for Information, Media and Broadcasting Services minister Jonathan Moyo to engage police chief Augustine Chihuri for a way forward. It is given that government departments must complement each other and not scuttle efforts by another in an effort to score cheap political goals.
The sad part of it is that the Press had police clearance granted on March 16.
We have always urged the police to protect citizens by upholding the country’s Constitution, but still wondered whether they were genuine when it came to protecting particular sections of society — in this case the Press.
It is pertinent to point out that World Press Freedom Day is observed globally each year, and at a time when the world thought Zimbabwe had improved in terms of growing the media industry and expanding Press freedom, this act by the police could be their biggest undoing.
The Press take solace in that Moyo is with them in this case, but who knows, perhaps those who are supposed to protect every citizen’s right to freedom of expression and freedom of the Press have waded into the ruling party’s factional fighting.
That act alone was unconstitutional and counterproductive means to block journalists and other stakeholders in Harare from commemorating the traditional World Press Freedom Day. The march and roadshow was jointly organised by the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ), Zimbabwe Association of Community Radio Stations (Zacras) and other stakeholders.
Regrettably, the 11th hour cancellation and effective disruption by the police of the official commemoration programme did not take into cognisance the fact that the event was being supported by Moyo’s ministry along with other stakeholders. Does this show some hidden political hand to settle political scores?
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Journalists are in many cases peaceable people, and therefore do not want to believe that the ban had anything to do with the recent stories carried by various media houses about police corruption and heavy handedness which has resulted in many innocent people losing their lives as some crooked elements within the force fought running battles with commuter omnibus drivers in Harare’s central business district over bribe money.
The same stories led to the arrest of NewsDay editor Nevanji Madanhire and reporter Moses Matenga last week for reportedly contravening sections of Criminal (Codification and Reform) Act. Unfortunately that piece of legislation is discriminatory as police selectively applies it, and it is hoped that this piece of legislation would be repealed during the life of the Eighth Parliament.
Zimbabwe expect a radical change in the way the police force conducts its business going forward failure which may result in confrontation with disillusioned citizens.
No doubt the police move clearly undermined the new governance charter. The Press deserves more from the police.
