Mangwana’s threats destroy media lobby groups

Media lobby organizations in Zimbabwe have raised the alarm over recent threats made by Information Ministry Secretary Ndawaningi Mangwana to the provincial newspaper Masvingo Mirror after it covered alleged voter misconduct in the Mozambique elections. The remarks, which have drawn widespread condemnation, are seen as a direct attack on media freedom and freedom of speech in the country.

Mangwana, writing in the state-controlled Herald newspaper on Thursday, accused Masvingo Mirror of spreading allegations of Zimbabwean involvement in the post-election conflict in Mozambique. He singled out the publication in particular for its reporting on how two of its undercover journalists allegedly voted in the Mozambique election despite not being eligible. Mangwana did not elaborate on which laws the newspaper allegedly broke, but ominously warned that “the writing is on the wall” for the publication.

“Initially, these accusations did not come from the participants in the elections in Mozambique, but from a certain mass media in Masvingo, which brazenly often broke the law. This is a message on the wall,” Mangwana wrote.

The remarks have caused serious concern among media advocates, who see the threat as an attempt to stifle investigative journalism and intimidate the press. Perfect Hlongwane, chairman of the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe (MAZ), lamented the position of the information minister, urging the government to resolve media complaints through appropriate legal channels and not resort to threats.

“We must now move from a culture of veiled threats and intimidation to a culture of engagement in a way that ensures media safety and enhances freedom of expression,” Hlongwane said. “The media should be challenged on the basis of the facts, and if they are indeed proven wrong, alternative means of clarifying stories are available without the threat of prosecution.”

Hlongwane emphasized that the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe supports professional channels such as the Zimbabwe Voluntary Media Council and the Zimbabwe Media Commission that can mediate media complaints in a democratic and constructive manner.

The Association of Community Newspapers of Zimbabwe and Online Content Creators of Zimbabwe echoed these sentiments, calling for cooperation between the media and government, especially during the ongoing media reform negotiations.

The Zimbabwe National Editors Forum (Zinef), which represents editors across the country, also condemned the threats. Zinef National Coordinator Njabulo Ncube expressed shock at Mangwana’s comments, describing them as an affront to media freedom guaranteed by the Zimbabwean Constitution.

“Zinef is shocked by the threats against The Mirror, which was the first to alert the southern region, if not the world, of these shenanigans ahead of the Mozambique elections,” Ncube said. “We are ready to support all employees of the publication. Zinef takes these threats very seriously as we believe they are an affront to media freedom and freedom of expression as enshrined in the Zimbabwean Constitution.”

The dispute stems from investigative reports by the Masvingo Mirror that highlighted potential voter irregularities involving journalists who participated in the Mozambique elections. These revelations not only drew public attention to the electoral processes in Mozambique, but also caused tension between the publication and Zimbabwean government officials.

The media sector in Zimbabwe has long been criticized for its lack of independence, with state-controlled media dominating the national discourse. In this context, the recent threats against the Masvingo Mirror highlight the fragile state of media freedom and the risks faced by journalists who go beyond the boundaries set by the state.

As the situation develops, media organizations and freedom of speech advocates are rallying behind the Masvingo Mirror, calling for an end to intimidation and stronger protections for the press in Zimbabwe.