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Zimbabwe Censorship Board bans highly acclaimed play
Rooftop Promotions
May 10, 2004

Zimbabwe’s Censorship Board has rejected the staging of the highly acclaimed play Super Patriots and Morons, a political satire produced by Rooftop Promotions.

The board cited provisions of the Censorship and Entertainment Control Act (1967) (Chapter 10:04) as the basis for stopping the play.

In it’s notice of rejection the board said: "It is hereby notified that the cinematograph film, film advertisement or public entertainment described has been rejected by the Censorship board."

The Censorship and Entertainment Control Act dates back to 1967 during the colonial era. In today’s democratic society, the Act would be viewed as draconian.

Rooftop is currently considering its options on the matter.

The play, featuring Daves Guzha, O’Brian Mudyiwenyama, Mackay Tickeys, Eyahra Mathazia and Jasen Mpepho, was performed before full houses during the just ended Harare International Festival of the Arts (HIFA). It was produced by Guzha and directed by Calle Kjellgren.

The play centres on an iron-fisted leader of an imaginary African country intolerant of opposing political and economic sentiments. The dictator sees non-believers of his rule as enemies and fronts for "neo-imperialists" who have to be stopped. In pursuit of perpetuating his personal rule the leader is determined to silence all dissenting views.

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