Zimbabwe’s murdering freedom of speech

IT IS tearful that, in Zimbabwe, there is one set of laws and law enforcement agents for those who actively oppose the Zanu-PF regime and corruption; and another set of laws and law agents for those who don’t.

The rule of law is an alien concept in Zimbabwe. The government of Zimbabwe violates the rights to shelter, food, freedom of movement and residence, freedom of assembly, and the protection of the law.

Government agents of Zimbabwe continued to perpetrate physical and psychological torture. The constitution and law prohibit arbitrary arrest and detention, although other sections of the law weaken these prohibitions.

The government enforces security laws, in conflict with the constitution. Security forces arbitrarily arrested and detained persons – particularly political and civil society activists and journalists, perceived as opposing the government.

The government continued to arrest, detain, and harass critics, and journalists practice self-censorship. It is also painful and offensive that, in Zimbabwe, you die for the truth.

KUDZAI CHIKOWORE | A defender of human rights