HomePolitics

'It Will Be Easy To Arrest You During Lockdown'

4 years agoSun, 29 Mar 2020 09:51:42 GMT
Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedIn
'It Will Be Easy To Arrest You During Lockdown'

A government official has threatened with arrest people who will be found guilty of spreading fake news during the 21-day lockdown which commences midnight today.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information and Publicity, Ndavaningi “Nick” Mangwana issued the threat using social media which some commentators have interpreted as having been directed towards prominent journalist Hopewell Chin’ono.

In a post on microblogging site Twitter written in Shona, Mangwana did not identify Chin’ono by name but referred to “Mbudziyadura”, the “name” used by government supporters when referring to the award-winning frank-speaking journalist.

Mangwana said that taking advantage of the lockdown, dealing with propagators of fake news will not be difficult if only two “VanaMbudziyadhura” are arrested. He wrote:

Because of the #lockdownzim munongobatigwa pagwenzi seshuro. Kungabopwa vanaMbudziyadhura vaviri then vazhinji vanovona kuti nhema hadzibhadhari. [Because of the lockdown, you will be arrested at home. If only two “Goat-herders” are arrested, the majority will see that spreading falsehoods does not pay]

Latest Tecno Pop 8 - now available in Pindula.

$94, Cash on Delivery in Harare & Bulawayo.

WhatsApp: 0783 450 793

Image

Mangwana was responding to one Ninez (@Shushirai2) who had suggested that Zimbabwe has to build more prisons to accommodate the hordes of people who will be arrested under the new regulations. Ninez had tweeted:

Bhudi Munofara , have we built more prisons because, hai vakomana mutemo mutsva uyo handifungi kuti tese tokwana ku Chavagona … Do you have internet police or the varakashi brigade will be working close with the police & courts & How do you intend to arrest those in diaspora.

Responding to Mangagwana’s post, journalist Dewa Mavhinga wrote:

A #Zimbabwe senior Gvt official seems to threaten Gvt critics with arrest during Covid-19 lockdown. Says: “Because of the #lockdown, People are sitting ducks, they are easily caught in their places like rabbits. The arrest of one or two & all will know lies do not pay.”

Renowned author Tsitsi Dangarembga also weighed in:

This tweet deserves translation.

Because of the lockdown, you’ll be caught in the open like rabbits. When the likes of Goatsareexpensive are halted, people will see how spreading falsehoods doesn’t pay.

I think reference is to @daddyhope

Tags

0 Comments

Leave a Comment


Generate a Whatsapp Message

Buy Phones on Credit.

More Deals
Feedback