Zimbabwe: Bail refused in Facebook case

March 22nd, 2011

A court has refused bail to Vikas Mavhudzi, who was arrested on charges of subversion for a Facebook remark. He had posted a comment on Zimbabwean Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai’s Facebook page about the Egyptian uprisings. In February 46 people were arrested and charged with treason for watching videos of the uprisings in Tunisia and Egypt.

Zimbabwe: 46 arrested for watching videos of Egyptian and Tunisian demonstrations

February 25th, 2011

Police in Harare this week arrested 46 activists and trade union members who were watching videos of demonstrations in Egypt and Tunisia. They have been charged with treason for trying to organise an uprising against the government. Lawyers for some of the detained allege that they have been beaten while in custody.

Zimbabwe: First lady sues newspaper over wikileaks allegations

December 17th, 2010

Grace Mugabe has filed a lawsuit against Standard newspaper claiming $15m for defamation. The newspaper published leaked US cables from wikileaks alleging the first lady of gaining millions of dollars from illegal diamond trade. Other high ranking officials implicated by the cables include Joyce Mujuru, the vice-president, and the head of the army, General Constantine Chiwenga. The first lady has reacted calling the allegations “false, scandalous, malicious, wrongful and defamatory”. The diamond trade in Zimbabwe, known as “blood diamond” is notorious for its violence and extensive human rights abuse.

Zimbabwe: State broadcaster strips Tsvangirai of title

November 24th, 2010

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) now regularly refers to Morgan Tsvangirai as “the leader of the MDC party” rather than “the Prime Minister” in news bulletins. Political analyst Bekithemba Mhlanga has claimed that, with an election marked for 2011, ZANU PF has entered election mode and ZBC, still tightly controlled by President Mugabe, helps enforce this agenda. Mugabe, in ZBC reports, has a number of titles, including “the President”, “The Head of State”, and “Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces”.

“Manhunt for Mbanga”

November 12th, 2010

The Zimbabwean government has issued an arrest warrant for exiled editor Wilf Mbanga. Here he describes the charge against him and the dire state of free expression in Zimbabwe
(more…)

Zimbabwe: Minister admires China’s media

October 26th, 2010

Webster Shamu, a Zimbabwean minister, yesterday said that his country should draw lessons from China when defining the role of the media. In particular, he praised China’s ability to counter negative stereotypes and derogatory messages in the Western media. His comments came yesterday in Harare as he opened a two-day photography course sponsored by his ministry, the Chinese Embassy and Xinhua News Agency. He also said that information and media ministers from developing nations had met in July to discuss media dissemination.

Zimbabwe: Journalist faces charges over protest coverage

October 14th, 2010

A newspaper journalist who photographed a Roman Catholic protest is facing charges of “practising journalism without accreditation“. Flata Kavinga was arrested at the demonstration on 10 October and detained for over 24 hours. His camera was confiscated. Although he has been released, Kavinga’s lawyer said that police are considering charging him under the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). The controversial legislation, enacted in 2002, has been heavily criticised by media rights groups.

Zimbabwe: Mugabe bans music group over “chicken” song

September 13th, 2010

Zimbabwe’s government has banned South African group Freshlyground over a music video that portrays President Mugabe as a chicken afraid to relinquish power. The video that accompanies the song “Chicken To Change” represents the president in the style of satirical show Spitting Image. The song is a product of the band’s collaboration with controversial cartoonist Jonathan Zapiro. Freshlyground was due to perform a concert in Harare next month, but members of the group have now had their working visas revoked. httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdf2lBIe4Ac