Gwanda residents attack Mujuru

Gwanda residents have condemned Vice President Joyce Mujuru's attempts to muzzle the press in reporting on corruption rocking state institutions.

Mujuru was recently quoted in the state media accusing the media of being used by some members within Zanu PF to destroy the party from within.

She was reacting to reports on corruption rocking Air Zimbabwe, Premier Medical Aid Society (PSMAS) among other state entities.

According to a report by Bulawayo Agenda, the Gwanda residents said legislative laws like Access to Information Protection and Privacy Act (AIIPA) restricted the media from reporting on corruption at parastatals.

"Deep seated poverty in Gwanda and Zimbabwe which then breed nepotism in the public sector. The nepotistic public sector is then usually plagued by inefficiency which results in bribes from citizens needing services," read the report.

 "Laws such as Access to Information Protection and Privacy Act (AIPPA) which restricts the media from unearthing the rot in public sector, Broadcasting Services Act (BSA) that has seen the restrictions in the opening of the air waves thus state monopoly guaranteeing protection of the corrupt public officials.

"On this note, participants frowned at the alleged Vice President's attack on the media for exposing corruption. Public Order and Security Act (POSA) and the 'Insult laws' were also cited as inhibiting the 'good men' from collectively and/or individually acting against corruption."

The residents, according to the report, said the existence of the laws was evidence that they are primarily made to protect those who have used or continue to use state power to loot and protect their corrupt activities.

"Citizens pointed out that the police in Gwanda had availed a Public Relations Officer to which whistle-blowers should be report corruption but this office was neither accessible nor effective. The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) at a national level was also cited as an institution that is failing to perform its constitutional mandate," read the report.