Opinion / Columnist
Zimbabwe allows free speech space for all
19 May 2016 at 10:58hrs | Views
I was taken aback by a NewsDay article headlined ‘Free speech space disappearing in Zim', which quotes some civil society organisation leaders such as Tawanda Chimhini of the Election Resource Centre, saying that ‘there is a clear attempt to clamp down on civic space' in Zimbabwe.
These civil society activists are claiming that there is no space for freedom of speech in Zimbabwe.
Such a proposition is disingenuous considering current democratic developments in Zimbabwe's body politic, with opposition activists freely sharpening their political tools to keep Government on its toes and at the same time make their presence felt.
To start with, we will not hesitate to question Chimhini and company as to how much political space they want when the MDC-T was allowed to freely hold their forgettable protest demonstration in Harare city centre, much nearer to the corridors of power at Munhumutapa and Parliament buildings, without any interference from authorities.
So many anti-Government campaigns were plotted thereafter with the current so-called #This Flag campaign fronted by clergyman Evan Mawire being emblematic.
Mawire has taken his campaign from Twitter to Africa Unity Square and to radio stations such as ZiFM.
His voice has been heard across all media platforms, with the print media also echoing his militant activities.
Other activists who have also become vocal against Government include other opposition campaigners such as Dr Patson Dzamara, who has freely thrown his ideas into the political ring.
With the political arena being open to everyone, we have also heard that a Pastor named Tudor Bismarch of New Life Covenant has also used one of his sermons to throw brickbats at Government, saying "Taneta".
What is interesting about his case, like all other cases, is that he managed to drive home freely after that and is still free to enjoy his political rights to this day.
The social media has also been awash with cyber activists posting all sorts of criticism against Government, with others disrespectfully and daily insulting the President and other Government officials.
Known politicians, with known physical addresses have been posting indecorous and insipid comments about Government on social media and yet they remain unscathed, living freely without trepidation.
This is against a backdrop where in other countries the social media has been muzzled following increased criticism against Government, but not in Zimbabwe.
We have heard of cases in other countries where the social media was blocked in during elections and after for the purpose of constricting freedom of expression yet in Zimbabwe these platforms remain open and unhindered.
In this country, evening political discussions are flourishing at hotels and other joints such as at SAPES and the Quill Club where opposition activists freely assemble and rabidly pour vitriol at Government.
All this has been happening for years without any disruptions from Government.
In addition, all opposition political parties such as the MDC-T and the ZimPF have freely traversed the breadth and width of the country holding meetings, rallies and demonstrations.
Despite attracting poor attendance, the opposition has enjoyed this political space unhindered and unfettered.
Not only opposition figures have enjoyed the freedom to express themselves but some ZANU PF members such as Ace Lumumba and their expelled siblings like Temba Mliswa have also continued to claim their political space and have been freely expressing themselves against Government.
With all this impregnable edifice of evidence proving that there is unfettered space for freedom of speech in Zimbabwe, what could Chimhini and company be smoking to see otherwise?
Maybe, these guys are expecting idealistic freedoms that could allow them to urinate and burn tyres at State House.
These are utopian freedoms that would certainly infringe on security interests and could lead to anarchy and despondency.
That is why they are not condoned.
Nevertheless, it is apparent that Chimhini and company are simply regurgitating the same old and tired opposition mantra that there is no democracy and rule of law in Zimbabwe.
They are singing for their supper, for they are paid for building a democracy case against Government.
Fortunately, all people would see through their lies as Zimbabwe has always availed freedom of speech to its citizens.
These civil society activists are claiming that there is no space for freedom of speech in Zimbabwe.
Such a proposition is disingenuous considering current democratic developments in Zimbabwe's body politic, with opposition activists freely sharpening their political tools to keep Government on its toes and at the same time make their presence felt.
To start with, we will not hesitate to question Chimhini and company as to how much political space they want when the MDC-T was allowed to freely hold their forgettable protest demonstration in Harare city centre, much nearer to the corridors of power at Munhumutapa and Parliament buildings, without any interference from authorities.
So many anti-Government campaigns were plotted thereafter with the current so-called #This Flag campaign fronted by clergyman Evan Mawire being emblematic.
Mawire has taken his campaign from Twitter to Africa Unity Square and to radio stations such as ZiFM.
His voice has been heard across all media platforms, with the print media also echoing his militant activities.
Other activists who have also become vocal against Government include other opposition campaigners such as Dr Patson Dzamara, who has freely thrown his ideas into the political ring.
With the political arena being open to everyone, we have also heard that a Pastor named Tudor Bismarch of New Life Covenant has also used one of his sermons to throw brickbats at Government, saying "Taneta".
What is interesting about his case, like all other cases, is that he managed to drive home freely after that and is still free to enjoy his political rights to this day.
The social media has also been awash with cyber activists posting all sorts of criticism against Government, with others disrespectfully and daily insulting the President and other Government officials.
Known politicians, with known physical addresses have been posting indecorous and insipid comments about Government on social media and yet they remain unscathed, living freely without trepidation.
This is against a backdrop where in other countries the social media has been muzzled following increased criticism against Government, but not in Zimbabwe.
We have heard of cases in other countries where the social media was blocked in during elections and after for the purpose of constricting freedom of expression yet in Zimbabwe these platforms remain open and unhindered.
In this country, evening political discussions are flourishing at hotels and other joints such as at SAPES and the Quill Club where opposition activists freely assemble and rabidly pour vitriol at Government.
All this has been happening for years without any disruptions from Government.
In addition, all opposition political parties such as the MDC-T and the ZimPF have freely traversed the breadth and width of the country holding meetings, rallies and demonstrations.
Despite attracting poor attendance, the opposition has enjoyed this political space unhindered and unfettered.
Not only opposition figures have enjoyed the freedom to express themselves but some ZANU PF members such as Ace Lumumba and their expelled siblings like Temba Mliswa have also continued to claim their political space and have been freely expressing themselves against Government.
With all this impregnable edifice of evidence proving that there is unfettered space for freedom of speech in Zimbabwe, what could Chimhini and company be smoking to see otherwise?
Maybe, these guys are expecting idealistic freedoms that could allow them to urinate and burn tyres at State House.
These are utopian freedoms that would certainly infringe on security interests and could lead to anarchy and despondency.
That is why they are not condoned.
Nevertheless, it is apparent that Chimhini and company are simply regurgitating the same old and tired opposition mantra that there is no democracy and rule of law in Zimbabwe.
They are singing for their supper, for they are paid for building a democracy case against Government.
Fortunately, all people would see through their lies as Zimbabwe has always availed freedom of speech to its citizens.
Source - Indrah Zvenyika
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