Shamu slammed for news blackout

Party spokespersons across the political divide say that Zanu (PF) is deliberately keeping the public in the dark on serious government issues to avert criticism and conceal corruption.

“The ministry of media, information and publicity is as good as dead and it is being run like a Zanu (PF) information centre,” said Kurauone Chihwayi, deputy spokesperson of the MDC led by Welshman Ncube.

“The general public, including the media, are kept in the dark. The ministry has never issued any public statement on government or cabinet business besides working as an extension of Zanu (PF) mouthpiece,” he added. He said the ministry needed urgent resuscitation to enable it to service the interests of the people rather than those of a single political party.

“Information should be timeously relayed to people on a weekly basis. Once we control government, the MDC will use all communication channels to inform people,” he added.

ZAPU spokesperson Mark Mbayiwa said it was a democratic and constitutional right for the masses to be informed about cabinet business through Shamu’s ministry.

“If the president is sick today it is people’s right to know. There are a lot of things happening about which Zanu (PF) deliberately keeps people in the dark,” he said. Douglas Mwonzora, spokesperson for MDC led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, said the ministry had failed to publicise government and cabinet issues and promised that if his party has full control of government it will make sure that the ministry plays its role properly.

Mavambo, Kusile, Dawn spokesperson Silver Bhebe said the current set up of the ministry gave Zanu (PF) leeway to cover up its scandalous acts.

“The deputy ministers in the GNU are powerless. Even in the absence of the minister, the President appoints a minister from another ministry in an acting capacity. Shamu refused to comment over the phone, requesting questions in writing. Zanu (PF) spokesperson Rugare Gumbo denied the allegations that his party was monopolising information on partisan grounds.

“Those are lies. These political parties have run out of stories and issues to be covered by the media and that is why they are blaming Zanu (PF) for unfounded allegations,” he said.