Zanu-PF declared at its recent annual conference that latest technology gadgets and wireless telephone applications embraced globally are the work of detractors out to get Zanu-PF. In resolutions passed at the close of the 13 Zanu-PF annual people’s conference in Gweru at the weekend the party appears petrified by the spread of social media which has hooked the young generation.
– Daily News, Thursday December 13, Pg 5

A press statement from Rooftop Promotions:

Police in Gweru Monday banned three performances of the play The Coup which is currently touring the country.

This is the second time that the law enforcement agents have banned the play. Police in Bindura were the first to place a ban on the play stating that it was “political”.

A request for clearance of the shows was sent on November 22 and when the team arrived in Gweru on Monday afternoon to prepare for the performance they were informed that the show was not cleared.

The reason given was the Police Internal Security Intelligence officer Marengere wanted to first view the recording of the play before he can issue the clearance.

Marengere wanted to perform the duty of the Censorship Board which goes through the content of any artistic work before they issue a certificate. The duty of the police is to maintain peace and order during public performances and not to censor artists.

The play was supposed to be performed at Lounge Bar on Monday at 5:30pm followed by another performance at Fairhill Farm on Tuesday at 1 pm and the last show at the Midlands Hotel at 5:30pm.

On Sunday the play was successfully performed at Amakhosi Cultural Square without any incidence. Over 70 people watched the play in Bulawayo.

“We are deeply worried by the continued suppression of artistic freedom and expression by the police who in this case are not the authority over any artistic work. The very same police force operating under the same Zimbabwean laws allowed the play to go on in Bulawayo.

It is high time that artists in this country unite and speak in unison against this unwarranted interference by the police. We will continue lobbying the Police General Headquarters to issue a generic clearance letter that covers all the provinces in the country,” said Daves Guzha

A press release just received; get their music Now!

Mann Friday have been holed up most of this year recording their fifth studio album in the UK – Trainrides and Radio Play – and as it launches this weekend on iTunes and other download portals, the Zim-linked rockers have thought of a Christmas treat for their fans back home. Up until Christmas Day, the entire album will be downloadable, for free, from http://mannfriday.com/zimbo – a distinct address that will only let you access the album if you are browsing from a Zimbabwean IP Address.

Catching up with frontman Rob Burrell on the giveaway – “We’ve been working pretty hard on this record and are so excited for people to hear it. As we gear up for releases online and in retail stores in Europe and South Africa in 2013 we felt it would be really great to let Zimbabweans have easy access to these new tracks. Zim has poured a huge amount of inspiration into all our songs, and we’d love to give something back this Christmas.”

Download the full album now: http://www.mannfriday.com/zimbo