Police bans distributing of shortwave radios

Zimbabwe Republic Police on Tuesday threatened to arrest anyone found distributing or in possession of shortwave radios.

"We have information that some people or political parties are engaging in illegal activities, that is to say they are distributing illegal communication devices to unsuspecting members of the public," said National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Charity Charamba. "Some are taking advantage of the needy communities and in guise of helping them they are also handing them over these communication devices," she said.

"We strongly believe that the intension of such people are not holy but meant to create and sow seeds of disharmony within the country especially now that the country is about to embark on the referendum and harmonised elections.

"The possession and distribution of such devices is illegal. The distributors and recipients stand warned that ZRP will not tolerate any such chicanery," Charamba added.

This is not the first time the police have declared war on those found in possession of shortwave radio sets.

Exiled media such as Radio VOP (Voice of the People), Studio 7, and Shortwave Radio Africa have around one million listeners on shortwave.