- | The independent media is under continual harassment and attack, and recently the Daily News was closed down by a decision of the Supreme Court, which approved as constitutional the contentious Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA). Other independent media publications are fearing state intervention against them. It should be remembered that the electronic media, both radio and television, is entirely monopolised by the State, and is run under close control by the Minister of State for Information’s department. |
- | The space for public organising and protest is extremely limited, and the Public Order and Security Act (POSA) is applied with vigour, but of course in a partisan manner. Recent examples of its application were the brutal breaking up of a public demonstration for constitutional government, and serious assaults perpetrated on leaders of the National Constitutional Assembly (NCA) in early February; and the prevention of a Valentine’s Day march (14 February) with the distribution of roses, organised by Women of Zimbabwe Arise (WOZA), at which threats to shoot the marchers were made by police officers. Meanwhile the Government sponsored National Youth Service militias (known as Green Bombers) continue to operate with impunity. |
- | The Electoral Supervisory Commission (ESC) (responsible for the running of the elections) and the Registrar General’s office (responsible for the compiling and management of the electoral roll) remain firmly controlled by the political leadership of the Ministries of Justice and Home Affairs. Particularly worrying is the appointment of military officers in the ESC. The Registrar General’s office is the object of numerous long-drawn out court cases, in particular relating to that office’s refusal to release voter’s rolls to opposition parties before the dates of elections. |