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MMPZ condemns commander's blatant intimidation of media workers
Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe
January 10, 2002

MMPZ condemns outright the alarming and unconstitutional threats against the state and the media made by the commander of the armed forces, General Vitalis Zvinavashe, on Wednesday.

His blatant declaration that Zimbabwe's uniformed forces would refuse to accept a democratically elected President who had not participated in the liberation war constituted a clearly implicit threat of a coup against the opposition MDC candidate, Morgan Tsvangirai, if he wins the presidential election in March.

His remarks demonstrate a shocking and abhorrent disdain for the country's constitution that demands the uniformed forces conduct their activities professionally and impartially in support of the government of the day.

This repugnant assault on the fundamental instruments of democratic governance by the commanders of the uniformed forces threatens to plunge Zimbabwe into a state of anarchy and serves to intimidate the electorate to vote for the candidate of the ruling party, Robert Mugabe if they want to avoid untold suffering.

General Zvinavashe's remarks constitute an unacceptable attempt to influence the result of the impending presidential election, and MMPZ calls upon the commanders of the uniformed forces to withdraw them immediately and rededicate themselves to the provisions of the constitution if the election is not to be considered a pointless exercise.

Also of grave concern to MMPZ are General Zvinavashe's unprecedented threats against the independent Press in Zimbabwe. He declared that the Press should not write stories that "invite security organisations to be involved".

Zimbabwe aspires to be a democratic nation run by a civilian government that makes laws that deal with all aspects of the country's governance. Zimbabwe's statute books already contain more than adequate legislation protecting individuals and organisations from malicious media coverage. The armed forces have no place in unilaterally declaring unspecified intervention in the civilian activities of Zimbabwean life. His threat therefore constitutes a gross infringement of Zimbabweans' freedom of expression and of their rights to be informed and amounts to blatant intimidation of media workers and publishing organizations.

MMPZ calls upon the government to reassert its supremacy over the armed forces and to reassure the nation that these organizations have no right to interfere in any way in the civilian affairs of the country.

MMPZ believes these measures must be urgently undertaken as a minimum necessity to allay growing fears within Zimbabwe and the international community that Zimbabwe is becoming a military dictatorship.

For More Information Please Contact
Project Coordinator, Media Monitoring Project Zimbabwe (MMPZ)
15 Duthie Avenue, Alexandra Park, Harare, Zimbabwe
Tel/Fax: +263-4-703702

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