Hopewell Chin’ono: ‘My arrest was meant to instil the fear of God in journalists’
Journalist and documentarist Hopewell Chin’ono, 49, highlighted transgressions in Mnangagwa’s Zimbabwe and spent 45 days behind bars. He spoke to
You filmed your arrest on 20 July and posted your last tweet: “They are breaking into my home. Alert the world!” Describe the buildup.
State agents came to my house, I called my lawyers, they said they should show a warrant of arrest. If not, don’t open the doors. I asked them for a warrant, they didn’t have one. I said I would not open until my lawyers arrive. I realised they were going to break into my home. I realised I must record it. I live-streamed on Facebook their entry into my bedroom. They first broke my dining room sliding door – four men with AK47s, two from intelligence services and two from police service. They took my phone, but didn’t realise they were live-streamed.
After Emmerson Mnangagwa came to power in 2017, you were among those who urged the country to give him a chance to implement promised reforms. What changed?
Mnangagwa came in on a reform ticket. MDC even decided to give him a chance. Tsvangirai refused to call it a coup. We thought this was an opportune moment to turn around the country. Elections were held on 31 July, 2018. By the 1st, after six unarmed protesting citizens were killed, I realised it was the same old regime. Promises were just promises... I had urged he be given a chance, I had a moral obligation to call him out.
One can understand the desire for hope after being freed from Mugabe’s stranglehold. Was there a time that you looked up to him?
Most people of my age saw Mugabe as a liberation hero. I was born in 1971, he came to power in 1980. We benefited from the early policies – education was good. It took 15 years to go pear-shaped.
What got you through 45 days in jail?
Some sympathetic prison guards would show me tweets on their phones – from governments, citizens, others – that gave me strength to carry on, not break my spirit. I saw people fighting in my corner.
You were charged with incitement to commit public violence – using social media. What is your answer?
They were fictitious charges. They had four tweets as evidence, yet I never talk about violence. I talk about anti-corruption. The protest was called by my co-accused, opposition party leader Jacob Ngarivhume. I have not disowned the tweets. They have no case, they wished to incarcerate us, for exposing corruption, that is why they came after me. Zanu-PF Spokesperson Patrick Chinamasa had warned me in an online video (statement) to stop what I am doing.
Journalists uncovered a US$60m Covid-19 medical supplies scandal involving health minister Obadiah Moyo. What was your role?
I engaged on Twitter, challenged, called for explanations, found links. I did a lot of digging; a shelf company had ordered goods from China [worth] US$380, yet the Zim taxpayer was billed US$68,000. I put evidence out on Facebook and Twitter. Citizens started engaging in a campaign to get [Moyo] fired. We stopped the US$60m looting of funds. We exposed them … They got furious.
Other local journalists were involved. Are you concerned for them as they don’t have international visibility?
My arrest was meant to instil the fear of God in journalists... there is a history of abductions, there is fear, that is why it is NB for the international community to make a noise, ensure journalists are not intimidated.
Explain the symbolism of wearing the red and white striped prison jersey on your exit from Chikurubi Maximum Security Prison?
Prison inmates have uniforms. Part of it is the jersey, but we had to get our own brought in to prison. Zimbabweans [have] started wearing them as a symbol of oppression.
Your view of SA’s mediation efforts?
It was South African citizens and the media, not the government, who put a lot of pressure.
Why should South Africans be concerned about what is going on?
Besides the geographical reality of being neighbours, every Zimbabwean will find their way to SA if they can’t feed their family... South Africans should be concerned about life’s realities in Zimbabwe, because misgovernance ends up with citizens going to SA... the same elements that trigger xenophobia. They feel Zimbabweans are taking their jobs but they come because of the tragic failure of healthcare, of governance.
The opposition calls for a multiparty transitional mechanism to prepare for elections. Is there another way?
It’s a rogue regime... perhaps we need an outside hand to help us to free and fair elections. South Africa is shouldering the economic burden, it has a moral right to get Zim to act.
What stands in the way of the MDC forming a united opposition?
Failure to lead. It is a huge disappointment. Citizens are equally frustrated... We require leadership, unity of purpose.
Why did you choose to become a
filmmaker and journalist?
I loved writing, then when I did my masters at City University, London, majoring in radio, I won a scholarship to study film in England and realised there were no professional doccie filmmakers in Zimbabwe, only foreigners... There was no record of our own past. So I studied documentary filmmaking.
What journalism/filmmaking are you most proud of?
The ability to shine light in darkness.
Would you define yourself as a journalist or a journalist-activist?
A journalist. We are human beings, we comment on issues affecting our country, and if that leads to being labelled, so be it.
In the case against you, what’s next?
Prison inmates have uniforms. Zimbabweans have started wearing them as a symbol of oppression.
I am back in court 19 October, waiting for a trial date.
What is your dream for your country?
To see a better Zim, for all citizens to have the same opportunities. I hope it can be achieved in my lifetime. DM168
Disclosure: Heard and Chin’ono were 2010 Nieman fellows. This Q&A has been edited for brevity.