Independent media barred from ZPF conference

Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds

By Tichaona Sibanda
7 December 2011

Journalists from the independent media are being barred from covering the ZANU PF conference which kicked off in Bulawayo on Tuesday.

Our correspondent Lionel Saungweme told us officials manning the gates at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair grounds have made no secret of their disdain towards independent journalists.

‘What we don’t know is whether this is official policy to bar independent and freelance journalists from covering the conference. The officials are being hostile to a point were they’ve told several journalists they were happy at being covered by state media journalists only,’ Saungweme said.

Our correspondent said there is tension in the city as hundreds of ZANU PF delegates arrive for the conference. For the second day in a row commuters and vendors have been targeted in unprovoked attacks, this time by the infamous Chipangano group.

Saungweme said rowdy gangs in ZANU PF marked vehicles roamed around the city on Tuesday night sloganeering and shouting obscenities at innocent bystanders.

‘At one time they got to the Chicken Inn food outlet in the centre of the city, disembarked from their vehicles and started shouting that they’ve come to Bulawayo to teach MDC people some manners. Their behaviour was very threatening and in no time the food outlet was deserted. All around the city they drove, shouting at people,’ Saungweme added.

He said it seems there has been an undeclared curfew in Bulawayo as people are disappearing from the streets soon after 8pm, following the spate of attacks on residents on Monday.

Kombi drivers, commuters and vendors at the Basch street terminus had to flee for dear life Monday night after anti-riot police went on a rampage, beating up people indiscriminately. The unprovoked attack took place between 5 and 6pm when the terminus, popularly known as Egodini, was it its busiest.