A group of traditional dancers stormed the Media Centre in Harare on 18 March, derailing a critical press conference held by the Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association (ZNLWVA).
The dancers allegedly coordinated their actions to prevent the gathering from taking place.
The disruption highlights the increasing intolerance towards dissent by the ruling ZANU-PF party and its affiliates, though the exact motivations behind the dancers’ actions remain unclear.
War veterans silenced by political interference
The war veterans had planned to address critical issues, including their welfare, governance failures, and corruption within the ruling establishment.
However, the press conference was derailed as the dancers performed loudly, drowning out any attempt at discussion, as seen in a video circulating online.
According to an account on X, witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with the dancers chanting and performing aggressively to intimidate attendees.
Journalists covering the event allegedly faced hostility, further escalating tensions.
The use of cultural performances to disrupt political discourse raises concerns about the suppression of free speech.
The incident comes amid growing concerns over the ruling party’s crackdown on opposition voices.
Analysts have warned that such actions damage Zimbabwe’s already fragile democratic space, reinforcing negative perceptions about governance in the country.
According to PostonSunday, the war veterans accused these individuals of being “hired hands” and “state agents” sent to silence them.
Similar Disruption in Bulawayo
This disruption follows a similar incident on 17 March, when a press conference in Bulawayo, set to be addressed by ZNLWVA chairman Andreas Ethan Mathibela, was intended to clarify the war veterans’ stance on the ruling party’s succession battle.
However, the event was abruptly interrupted by a group of individuals who stormed the venue, halting the planned discussions.
According to NewZimbabwe, the man leading the group stated, “We are not here to provoke anyone, but we are here for our own meeting. We have our own business to attend to, just like you.” Despite this claim, their presence disrupted the course of the meeting.
The war veterans had planned to discuss critical issues, including their welfare, governance failures, and corruption within the ruling establishment.
However, the press conference was derailed as the group’s actions drowned out any attempt at discussion.
How do you think the disruption of these press conferences will affect freedom of speech in Zimbabwe?
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