High Court upholds ban on Amakhosi’s play

By Tererai Karimakwenda
June 15, 2007

Amakhosi Theatre’s new play The Good President was officially banned by the government on Friday when a High Court in Bulawayo ruled that it was political. As we reported, police shut down the play on Wednesday when it opened in Bulawayo saying it was a political gathering that needed permission from the Commanding Officer. Sihle Nyathi from Amakhosi said the police argued in court that the play contravenes the Public Order and Security Act because there are references to Zimbabwe and economic issues in the script. Their lawyers argued that the Constitution of Zimbabwe allows freedom of speech and the play should continue. But the High Court did not agree.

Nyathi said on the ground it seems reality is different from what the law says. She explained that the play had been allowed to run in Harare, and asked: “Is the law applied selectively in this country? What is the difference between Harare and Bulawayo?” Nyathi told us their lawyers are consulting different bodies and would make recommendations soon. But in the meantime, Nyathi said Amakhosi would distribute DVDs of the Play and go on a regional tour so The Good president can be seen regardless of this ruling.

Nyathi also said the state run newspapers in the country had refused to run adverts for the Play saying its content would bring the President into disrepute and they were protecting him. Independent newspapers made no objections to the adverts.

The Good President was written and directed by Cont Mhlanga, who described it as a play about an old woman who wants to go vote and talks to her grandson about the President. Audiences were invited to participate in a discussion of the Play after each performance. Mhlanga said he believes theatre is a great way to get people talking about the issues affecting their lives.