political parties

The Media Monitoring Africa (MMA) director, William Bird, says journalists are not employed as public officials but are there to monitor those who are.

Speaking at a SAFM discussion programme, the After Eight Debate, on the topic of this recent "harassment" of the media, Bird argued that, “The Press Council, Media Monitoring Africa, the Freedom of Expression Institute and various others" – are there in a watchdog role over journalists.

The Zambian government says it is illegal for NGOs to advocate the removal of a democratically-elected government using potentially dangerous means such as the 'red card' campaigns.

Home Affairs Minister, Lameck Mangani, says that NGOs should be sober in their criticism, and should concentrate on civic campaigns instead of agitating violence.

Mangani says the NGOs will not be allowed to hold demonstrations against the Government because that will be a recipe for anarchy.

Zimrights National Director and board member of the Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum, Okay Machisa, was arrested and later released by Harare police as reports of arrests of rights activists and Movement for Democratic Change supporters grow.

The Zimbabwe Human Rights NGO Forum programmes Coordinator, Brian Penduka, states that Machisa was organising a photo exhibition entitled 'Reflections' at the Gallery Delta’.

South Africa is to fast-track a comprehensive new law against human trafficking before the start of the Soccer World Cup, according to Justice Minister, Jeff Radebe.

Radebe points out that, "In the main this Bill was not motivated by our hosting the 2010 World Cup, but as I've indicated, all these international criminal syndicates might use [this] opportunity ... in order to intensify this trafficking of persons."

The Johannesburg Equality Court has found the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) president, Julius Malema, guilty of hate speech and harassment.

Magistrate Colleen Collis ordered Malema to make an unconditional public apology within two weeks and pay an amount of R50 000 to a centre for abused women within one month, for saying president Jacob Zuma’s rape accuser had ‘nice time’.

Intercessors For Africa (IFA) has blamed the current political situation in the country on non adherence to the rule of law by politicians.

IFA coordinator, Emeka Nwanpka, points out that, "Because of the present situation in the country, we call on all our leaders in general and our political actors in particular to observe the rule of law.

The South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) has resolved to revive its discussions with the police leadership to ensure that the media is allowed the freedom to report on the fight against crime.

In a press statement, SANEF points out that some police officers continue to treat journalists in a negative manner and enforcing unofficial restrictions in media reporting.

The Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA) is expected to make a presentation at the National AIDS Council (NAC) on findings of an assessment of access to health services by the lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans-gendered community as well as a study on men who have sex with men (MSM) in May this year.

BONELA says this decision was made by former president Festus Mogae, at the NAC last week, following a query by BONELA as the presentation initially scheduled for May last year, was cancelled at the last minute, without consultation.

A report by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) lists more than 200 individuals it accuses of facilitating that country’ post-election violence in 2007.

Amongst those listed as having either incited, mobilised, transported or funded gangs to attack rival communities are seven Cabinet ministers, several members of parliament and councillors, political activists, retired military officers and even church leaders.

Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Minister Sicelo Shiceka, has announced that he will take further consultations on the possibility of holding a single election in the future before raising the matter with the Cabinet.

Shiceka says holding one election will ensure that voters do not have election fatigue.
Shiceka argues that, "When we have elections two and a half years later, there is another election it means there is no time for stability for us to focus on service delivery.”