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February 04-11, 2015

Media Monitoring Report for Zimbabwe
Posted on February 12, 2015

Contents

Compiled by MIGS Desk Officer for Zimbabwe – Mike Taylor

1. Mugabe falls (literally)
2. Riot police busy in Zimbabwean countryside

Mugabe falls (literally)
Independent media

Daily News, February 5, 2015

“Mugabe falls down stairs” by Fungi Kwaramba and Lloyd Mbiba

  • Robert Mugabe’s fall at Harare International Airport garnered concern from the government officials in his entourage. Mugabe is 90 and often travels to Asia for medical check-ups.
  • He had just returned from Addis Ababa where he took over the rotating ceremonial role of chairmanship of the African Union (AU). As Mugabe fell, panic had clearly set in over the crowd of politicians and journalists.
  • All gathered photojournalists were forced to delete pictures of the fall. One photojournalist felt threatened by security personnel who forced him to delete photos. Another photojournalist was ostensibly chased down by ‘fierce’ security guards and then coerced into deleting photos.

NewsDay, February 6, 2015

“Media organizations rap state security over Mugabe pictures” by Paidamoyo Muzulu

  • Media organizations have spoken out against the heavy-handedness exhibited by security personnel who forced photographers to delete pictures of Robert Mugabe’s fall at Harare International Airport.
  • The Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) condemned security staff interference with journalists going about their business. MISA director Nhlanhla Ngwenya admitted that covering the First Family can be a dangerous affair.
  • Zimbabwe Union of Journalists secretary-general Forster Dongozi said that the conduct of security personnel was unprofessional.
  • The MDC released a press statement noting that the censorship of the type seen at the fall was fruitless. Photos were uploaded to the internet instantly. In the digital age, even strong armed censorship can be utterly futile.

Daily News, February 6, 2015

“Harassment of Daily News photojournalists slammed”

  • MDC Renewal condemned the harassment of photojournalists by Robert Mugabe’s security staff at Harare International Airport. The harassment occurred after photographers captured Robert Mugabe tumbling down stairs on film.
  • All photojournalists were forced to delete their photos immediately following the incident.
  • MDC Renewal said that the actions taken by the security team were in violation of the Constitution and an affront to media liberties.

The Standard, February 8, 2015

“Mugabe fall: 27 guards suspended” by Silence Charumbira and Phillip Chidavaenzi

  • Up to 27 members of the presidential security team who seemed immobilized as Mugabe tumbled down a flight of stairs at Harare International Airport have been suspended.
  • An investigation was launched into the matter the night of the fall. The Zanu PF officially denies these claims however. There is reportedly no ‘shake up’ in the president’s security team according to the official party line.
  • The anonymous source who reported the suspensions to The Standard however maintains that guards are facing repercussions for being caught ‘napping.’ As new Zambian President Edgar Lungu visited Harare with Mugabe, it was noted that there were several new members in Mugabe’s security entourage.
State-owned media


The Herald
, February 5, 2015

“Breaking News: President speaks on carpet mishap”

  • President Mugabe was reported as ‘sprightly’ the day following a fall which saw him tumble down a flight of stairs.
  • The accident took place after addressing thousands of party supports at the Harare International Airport. Mugabe had just returned from the African Union (AU) summit that saw him designated as chairman of the international organization.
  • Presidential spokesman, George Charamba said Mugabe was able to chair a Cabinet meeting the day following his fall.
  • Mugabe tripped over a poorly laid carpet at the Harare Airport, but managed to break his fall and walked to his car ‘unscathed.’ The fall attracted much attention in the press worldwide with some linking the fall to old age and poor health.
Riot police busy in Zimbabwean countryside
Independent Media


Bulawayo24
, February 10, 2015

“Riot police beat up worshippers”

  • Anti-riot police descended on a ranch in Matopo and beat up villagers who gathered for a prayer meeting on the farm. The villagers are allegedly opposed to the acquisition of the farm by Rodney Mashingaidze, an official from the president’s office.
  • Locals had gathered for two days of prayer to prevent the acquisition of the land from white farmer, David Cunningham. The villagers were beat up by riot police on the pretext that they were preventing the takeover.
  • Some reports are emerging that Cunningham is in the custody of local police, but Matabeleland South police have not acknowledged this.
  • Chiefs who were opposed to the land acquisition were told to mind their own business of ensuring the continuance of traditional values.

Bulawayo24, February 5, 2015

“Riot police, soldiers attack Zanu PF youths, war vets”

  • Riot police attacked Zanu PF farm invaders in Chipinge, Manicaland, south of Mutare. The Zanu PF youths and war veterans under attack alleged that the owner of the farm already had several other farms in his possession.
  • The owner was also not from Chipinge, where there are several landless individuals.
  • Riot police beat up the Zanu PF and war veterans who were protesting and turned the farm over to its owner. Chipinge East MP Winmore Mlambo noted that he and his constituents had been asking for land for quite some time. It was implied that it is unsatisfactory that land be given away to someone from outside of the region.

*State-controlled media has not reported on these events.

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