The journalists who were invited by the Zambezi River Authority to come and see for themselves the rising Kariba Dam water levels which has necessitated the gate opening on Sunday, returned to Zambia after the Zimbabwean authorities denied them entry to the Zimbabwean side.
The group was made up of journalists from Zimbabwe,Zambia,Malawi,DRC,Mozambique and Botswana.
Kariba dam water levels, according to ZRA, were, as at March 8, were at 74% capacity, while the rain season is still at its peak.
If it exceeds its holding capacity there is a risk of the dam wall bursting and disrupt electricity generation.
The opening of the gates next week has a potential of causing floods which will affect thousands of people downstream.
The authorities denied the scribes despite ZRA’s prior letter to them informing them of the presents of the journalists who wanted to meet with ZRA authorities from the Zimbabwean side.
Elizabeth Karonga ZRA Communications Manager had written a letter to the Zimbabwe Immigration authorities explaining the purpose of the visit by the 15 journalists.
Upon the arrival at the boarder ZIMRA and Immigration authorities demanded that ZRA should get letters from Zimbabwe’s Information and Foreign Affairs Ministries if they were to allow them entry into Zimbabwe.
This was not the casein Zambia where the delegation had no hassles from the authorities there.
Zimbabwe still has draconian media laws which restrict journalists from accessing public information or entry into the country by foreign journalists.
Post published in: News
that is another kick in the teeth for Zimbabwea’s prehistoric paranoid laws. 15 journo’s ! wow I can image the great report they will post from back home in SA.