The awarding of broadcasting radio licences to Zimpapers and Supa Mandiwanzira’s AB Communications’ Zi Radio is another step in limiting media space to private broadcasting companies.

In today’s Daily News it is reported that:

“The two radio stations are owned by companies with links to Zanu PF.

Zimpapers has for long been accused by civil society and the two MDC parties of being biased towards Zanu PF and for promoting hate speech through its various newspaper titles.

On the other hand AB Communications owner, Mandiwanzira is a known Zanu PF member. He was recently introduced at a Zanu PF rally in Nyanga North as a potential parliamentary candidate for the party in forthcoming elections.”

Interested in the Zimbabwe 2012 National Budget announced by the Ministry of Finance yesterday? Download it here (240 pages, Size 4MB) or find out more

Such an inspiring film trailer.

We Are Many is a documentary about the never-before-told story of the biggest protest in history, on 15 February 2003, and its legacy, through the Arab Spring to the Occupy Movement. The day that saw an estimated 30 million people in over 700 cities around the world, gave birth to a new global social movement.

You could help it get to theatres in February 2013 . . . Find out more

I just saw this tweet from SW Radio Africa,

and it reminded me of something I heard in the office today.

There is so much back and forth media coverage about this Morgan Tsvangirai marriage. I don’t know if there was lobola, damages, or none of the above. But either way, if he’s the Prime Minister, and he can’t even manage the information going out about his personal life, how does he expect to run the country?

I have grown tired of hearing about these female rapists, and all the terrible things they have done to their poor victims. While it is sad that these men were violated and degraded in such a manner, I am struggling to understand why their rape seems to have taken precedence over all other rape cases. Countless male rapists are getting away with violating minors but we can rest assured that all these female rapists will be caught, and brought to justice.

For one thing, there has been more than adequate, (or necessary), media coverage of the atrocities, and it seems the police’s hard work on the case has paid off, as 3 of the offenders have now been apprehended, charged with 17 counts of aggravated indecent assault and released on $300 bail each. It is my hope that in the future that the police will be as swift with men who rape children because some of these monsters are getting away scot-free!

Several newspaper articles have described the large crowds that gathered outside the Gweru Police Station, wanting to beat the female rapists held there. Why is the same sense of outrage not shown when we hear of men raping minors and other vulnerable members of society? I read with outrage about a Masvingo man who allegedly raped his 18-year-old daughter at least 12 times, and was last month released on $100 bail. A $100 bail, for a man who lives with his victim? Are they crazy? Why, also, was this story only reported on once? If stories like this received even half the publicity that the female rapists have received, maybe the “playing field” would be a little more even. I was also surprised when the names and photos of the 3 female rapists were released. When was the last time we ever saw any one of the monsters that desecrate the bodies of minors photographed? Rape is rape, let’s treat all offenders the same! If we are now going to start photographing these despicable people, let’s take photos of them all!

Perhaps the manner in which this case has been handled and reported on can be a template for all incidences of this form of violence, especially against children.