Government turns to jamming VOP

By Lance Guma
18 August 2005

Chinese equipment employed to jam the Short Wave transmissions of SW Radio Africa is now being used to jam, Voice of the People. VOP which broadcasts via Radio Netherlands carries various programs on Zimbabwe produced by journalists based in the country. It would seem that soon after SWRA stopped broadcasting on shortwave, the jamming equipment became idle and government decided to find a use for the expensive devices.

Broadcast experts suspect the jamming started on the 14th of August and the stations programs from 7 to 8pm Zimbabwean time are being wiped out. Monitors of the jamming said sometimes parts of the broadcasts were audible, but generally it was a wipe out. The Executive Director of the Station, John Masuku, confirmed receiving reports of the jamming but said they were still conducting further monitoring sessions to be absolutely sure they are being jammed.

Government has never admitted to jamming SWRA broadcasts and will, no doubt, deny any jamming of VOP.