MISA-ZIMBABWE COMMUNIQUÉ

11 NOVEMBER 2002

MISA-ZIMBABWE ROAD SHOW BANNED

A road show that the MISA-Zimbabwe Advocacy Committee in Bulawayo had
planned to hold in the city was banned on Saturday 9 November 2002.

MISA-Zimbabwe had initially been given a verbal go ahead by the police but
this was withdrawn on Thursday 7 November 2002. The police in a letter to
MISA-Zimbabwe said that they did not have enough manpower to monitor the
event.
"With reference to your application to hold a Road Show received on
5/11/2002, please be advised that authority has not been granted because of
circumstances beyond our control," read the letter signed by Chief
Superintendent C W Muzeza.
"This office does not have enough manpower to cover the event, as officers
are committed elsewhere," said Muzeza.

In a telephone discussion with the MISA-Zimbabwe Advocacy Officer, Takura
Zhangazha, Muzeza said that he wanted to know what MISA does and what the
agenda and aims of the show would be. He also said that the police were
afraid that the show would turn political.

The road show was meant to publicize the concept of community broadcasting
to residents of Bulawayo and also educate the public on the current media
laws, especially the Broadcasting Services Act and the Access to Information
and Protection of Privacy Act.

MISA-Zimbabwe notes with concern that the banning of the show is yet another
example of the infringement of the peoples right to freedom of association,
assembly and expression as guaranteed in section 20 of the constitution.

END

Rashweat Mukundu
Research and Information Officer
MISA-Zimbabwe
221 Fife Ave
Box HR 8113
Harare
Zimbabwe

Phone: 00 263 4 721 841, 735 441-2
Cell : 00 263 4 011 602 685
E mail: [email protected]