Chris Maroleng urges Zimbabweans to 'rise against tyranny'

Former SABC broadcaster Chris Maroleng has called on Zimbabweans to "rise against tyranny" as he took to his social media handles Thursday to express disappointment over being deported from the country.

Maroleng, now SADC Executive Director of Good Governance Africa – jetted into the country via the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport Tuesday for what he described as a mission to "conduct vital field research on election conditions and challenges".

His mission was however trashed in a statement later on Thursday by government spokesperson and Information Ministry permanent secretary Nick Mangwana who adamantly said the prominent media personality misrepresented the object of his visit in the country.

Speaking on his nightmare, Maroleng said he took the flight to Zimbabwe on Tuesday after meeting with officials from the Zimbabwean embassy in Pretoria who gave him and his colleagues the nod to fly into the country.

Maroleng was however told by Zimbabwean authorities upon his arrival that he and his three colleagues would not be accredited to cover next Wednesday's election.

They were then informed of their deportation on Thursday afternoon.

The Zimbabwe-born South African took to social media to gush out his disappointment about the hostile reception he got in the country.

"Today, I am compelled to write with an anger that burns deep within my soul," he said.

"The recent events that unfolded in Zimbabwe, leading to my abrupt deportation, are not just a reflection of bad governance, but a stark indication of the lengths to which the government will go.

"This is a call for the people of Zimbabwe to rise up against tyranny and demand the change they so desperately deserve."

Maroleng felt his ban from covering the Zimbabwe elections and subsequent deportation was unfair given that he and his team had followed and observed all protocol required for one to obtain accreditation.

"Our purpose in Zimbabwe was noble and clear – to conduct vital field research on election conditions and challenges. We followed all the necessary protocols," he said.

"But what awaited us was a shocking and horrifying ordeal. It served as a brutal reminder of the bullying tactics employed by the Zanu-PF-led government, as they seek to stifle dissent and silence any voices that dare to challenge their autocratic rule.

"This is not an isolated incident; it is a clear indication of the extent to which the government will go to suppress the truth and maintain their grip on power."

Moraleng urged citizens to rise against oppressive systems that seek to violate and tarnish the democratic nature of the Zimbabwe poll.

"We cannot afford to be silent in the face of such tyranny," he said.

"This incident is a wake-up call for all Zimbabweans to rise up against the oppressive forces that seek to undermine their democratic rights and aspirations.

"We must channel our anger into action, demanding accountability."

Commenting on Moraleng's deportation, Mangwana said government was deporting foreign journalists who misrepresented their real purpose to be in the country to immigration authorities.

"We note a lot of interest in visiting our country and stay between the 18th-25th of August 2023.

"If you are an Election Observer, say so, we accredit such. If you are a journalist, say so, we accredit such.

"If you make misrepresentations to the immigration officer, you may find yourself on the next plane home," he said.