(MISA/IFEX) – The Book Café, which was founded in 1995 with the purpose of promoting cultural activities and artists through discussions and workshops, has been banned by the police from holding any political discussion unless they seek clearance under the repressive Public Order and Security Act (POSA). “We have been holding these political discussions every […]
(MISA/IFEX) – The Book Café, which was founded in 1995 with the purpose of promoting cultural activities and artists through discussions and workshops, has been banned by the police from holding any political discussion unless they seek clearance under the repressive Public Order and Security Act (POSA).
“We have been holding these political discussions every Thursday and our speakers have included government officials,” said the director of The Book Café.
The Book Café owners said they would comply with the order to seek clearance before holding their discussions, which they say, are about the future and betterment of Zimbabwe.
Since the enactment of POSA, police have issued orders that they have a right to sanction or refuse permission to any group suspected of being political, according to this new piece of legislation. Where necessary, plainclothes policemen may be present at the said meetings according to section 25 of the act.
“We no longer know what is freedom of expression, but to be frank, The Book Café was holding political discussions and workshops in which top ZANU-PF [Zimbabwe African National Union – Patriotic Front] officials like Professor Jonathan Moyo, Nathan Shamuyarira, Dumiso Dabengwa and Eddison Zvobgo were included. Those in, and seen as, the opposition were also included in the discussions,” said the café’s director.
The banning of The Book Café discussions comes hard on the heels of the banning of a number of political and social gatherings by the police. This development is seen by MISA’s Zimbabwe chapter (MISA-Zimbabwe) as a serious infringement on the right of Zimbabweans to enjoy their constitutionally guaranteed freedom of expression and association. This development violates section 20 of the constitution, which clearly states that everyone has a right to freedom of speech and association. This, according to MISA-Zimbabwe, amounts to the declaration of an unofficial state of emergency in Zimbabwe. The POSA resembles in both form and
content the Law and Order Maintenance Act (LOMA), which it replaced. Many sections of LOMA, which threatened freedom of speech, association and that of assembly, were struck down by the Supreme Court, leading the government to promulgate POSA. POSA is largely seen as the reincarnation of LOMA.