Earlier, in February 2019, Kureya, otherwise popularly known as Gonyeti, and her colleague
from Bustop TV, were detained and fined after police held that a satirical skit they produced
in 2016 amounted to public nuisance. During their brief detention in February, the Bustop TV
pair was warned that their satirical skits were growing more political.
These acts of lawlessness cannot be allowed to continue with impunity given the serious risk
they pose to the security, life and limb of vulnerable Zimbabwean citizens at large. The
Zimbabwean government has an obligation to protect and ensure the safety and security of its
citizens at all times.
Citizens, including journalists and comedians, should feel secure at all times particularly
when in their homes, as provided for under Sections 51 and 52 of the Constitution which
provide for the right to human dignity and personal security. In addition, Section 61 provides
for freedom of expression and freedom of the media which also includes freedom of artistic
expression, scientific research and creativity and academic freedom.
Failure to investigate such cases risk spawning waves of similar wanton acts of lawlessness
and instilling fear in citizens exercising their right to free expression as provided for by the
Constitution. On the other hand, archaic and undemocratic laws continue to restrict free
expression and access to information on online platforms.
Meanwhile, according to the Freedom of the Net Report published by Freedom House,
Internet freedom has been on the decline globally for the past nine years. Zimbabwe, is
however, cited as one of the five countries which have experienced the greatest decline in
Internet freedom in the past year. This decline is largely due to the Internet shutdown
experienced by Zimbabwe in January 2019 as well as the arrests and harassment of dissenting
voices online.
However, the report found that Zimbabwe’s Internet space is partly free.
Other factors that have led to the decline in the enjoyment of Internet freedom in Zimbabwe
include the existence of laws in the country’s Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act
that criminalise fair enjoyment of the right to free expression. In 2019 a number of people
were arrested for sharing messages that are said to undermine the authority of the President
over social media platforms.

16

Select target paragraph3