Back to Index

Judge upholds police ban on play
NewZimbabwe.com
June 19, 2007

http://allafrica.com/stories/200706190842.html

A ZIMBABWEAN High Court judge has upheld a police ban imposed on a play seen as critical of President Robert Mugabe's government.

The Good President, a play directed by the controversial Cont Mhlanga of Amakhosi Theatre Productions has drawn fury from the government media which accuses him of dabbling in politics.

Dozens of people -- including archbishop Pius Ncube -- were driven out of the Amphitheatre in Bulawayo after police charged the premiere of the play was a political gathering, and the organisers should have sought permission from the police in line with tough security laws.

Sihle Nyathi, a spokesperson for Amakhosi said police argued in court that the play contravened the Public Order and Security Act because there are references to Zimbabwe and economic issues in the script.

Amakhosi's lawyers argued that the Constitution of Zimbabwe allows freedom of speech and the play should continue. But the High Court did not agree, reported SW Radio Africa.

Ironically, the play had been staged at several theatres in Harare amid noisy disapproval from the state media, but without attracting police intervention.

Nyathi fumed: "Is the law applied selectively in this country? What is the difference between Harare and Bulawayo?"

Amakhosi now plan to put the play on DVD and embark on a regional tour, she said.

It has emerged that Zimbabwe's state media has also refused to run adverts on the play.

Mhlanga says the play is 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.

Please credit www.kubatana.net if you make use of material from this website. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License unless stated otherwise.

TOP