MISA Zimbabwe Condemns Journalist’s Exclusion from ZANU PF Conference

By Southerton Business Times Reporter, Harare

Media watchdog MISA Zimbabwe has criticised the exclusion of freelance journalist Nunurai Jena from the 23rd ZANU PF Annual People’s Conference at Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT), raising concerns over press freedom and journalists’ access to political events.

In a statement, MISA Zimbabwe said denying journalists access to the ruling party’s conference undermines their ability to inform the public, particularly when decisions made by political parties have wider implications for society. The organisation said Jena was barred from entering the venue on Friday despite holding a press card issued by ZANU PF.

According to MISA, Jena arrived at Gate No. 1 and presented his accreditation card for digital scanning. However, security officials reportedly told him the card was registered as “unfounded” in their system. He was directed to a second gate to have the card scanned again, but the result remained unchanged. MISA said security personnel then accused Jena of forging his credentials and questioned where he had “manufactured” the card.

Jena reportedly explained that he had received the press card officially at ZANU PF headquarters in Harare the previous week. The journalist was questioned for approximately 45 minutes, during which officers recorded his personal details on an official form.

According to the account, security personnel also told Jena that he “should know why” he was unwelcome at ZANU PF activities. When Jena questioned why he had been accredited if he was not permitted to attend the conference, officers reportedly said the card had been “issued in error”. They said they were “rectifying the situation” by confiscating the card and removing him from the event.

Jena was subsequently escorted to the main gate and ordered to leave immediately. He was also warned against returning, with security personnel reportedly threatening “worst consequences” if he failed to comply. MISA Zimbabwe said the incident raised concerns about the treatment of journalists and the procedures used to grant and verify media accreditation at political gatherings.

The organisation maintains that journalists must be able to carry out their professional duties without unjustified restrictions, particularly when covering events involving political parties and decisions of public interest. The circumstances surrounding the alleged accreditation error, including why a card issued at ZANU PF headquarters was rejected at the conference venue, were not explained in the account provided.

The incident also raises questions about communication between party officials responsible for issuing accreditation and security personnel tasked with controlling access to the conference. MISA Zimbabwe’s criticism comes amid broader concerns about the conditions under which journalists cover political events in Zimbabwe. Access to such gatherings allows reporters to document proceedings, question participants, and relay information to citizens who cannot attend in person.

The account provided did not include a response from ZANU PF or the security officials involved in the incident.

MISA Zimbabwe journalist exclusion