Mugabe silences Zimbabwe's only independent paper

Zimbabwe’s only independent daily newspaper failed to publish today after armed police raided and closed down its offices, saying they violated the country’s law.

President Robert Mugabe’s government acted late Friday within hours of winning a case against Associated Newspapers Zimbabwe in the recently reconstituted Supreme Court, now dominated by pro-regime judges.

Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku, a former minister, ruled that the publication had not registered under a 2002 media law, the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

The Act stipulates that a government licence is required to publish. The media group therefore had no grounds to challenge the law, claiming a breach of their constitutional right to free expression.

The group publishes the Daily News and the Daily News on Sunday titles.

Editor in chief Francis Mdlongwa said the group applied for accreditation immediately on hearing Chidyausiku’s ruling.

Daily News editor Nqobile Nyathi approached security police late Friday where she said she was told: “The paper is banned.”

Police posted guards at the group’s offices today and only allowed staff inside to collect personal effects.

Leaders of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change met today to discuss the latest development, party secretary general Welshman Ncube said.

Since its launch in 1999 the Daily News has given a voice to critics of Mugabe’s 23-year rule as inflation topped 400% and shortages of all basic commodities increase.

Many blame the country’s instability and economic downturn on Mugabe’s three year old land seizure policy which saw white-owned farms handed to black Zimbabweans.

In January 2001 the group’s printing presses were blown up hours after Information Minister Jonathan Moyo said the Daily News was “a threat to national security which had to be silenced”.

The paper did however reach the streets after hiring presses and replacing the damaged ones last year.

Since the Act was passed in January 2002, 14 independent journalists have been arrested for alleged breaches and four foreign correspondents expelled.