Zimbabwean News You Can Trust
Award winning journalist Hopewell Chino’no, has castigated Zanu Pf’s behavior of denying the main opposition party space to freely campaign without hindrances.
Chino’no’s “furious” response comes after an outcry by the main opposition party, the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), which accused the authorities of blocking several of its campaign rallies, most notably the party’s Bindura Star rally, which was slated for Sunday.
CCC also accused the Police of blocking its Chiredzi gathering last week, after the ZRP said it had no capacity to provide security as it was attending a clinic opening gathering that was reportedly being officiated by Masvingo Provincial Minister Ezra Chadzamira.
Posting on his Twitter handle, Chino’no bemoaned the ruling party’s interference with state media, describing the act as “pathetic”.
“Over and above denying the opposition the right to have rallies, the ZANUPF regime is also denying them access to ZBC and other public media like Herald, which is against the law! The regime is even denying Winky D access to have his songs played, and even to mention his name! Pathetic,” he said.
But responding to Chino’no’s claims, Permanent Secretary of Information Nick Mangwana advised CCC to engage the state media anytime.
He said, “They can come to the ZBC anytime. They can come to the Herald anytime. They can even place adverts in both. Mari yavo chete.”
Over the years, opposition parties have accused the ZRP of conniving with the ruling Zanu Pf to deny them equal access to the electorate.