| You are in: Audio/Video: Programmes: PM | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
Friday, 8 March, 2002,
20:16 GMT
News from Zimbabwe
News from Zimbabe, on short-wave and the
web The BBC is not allowed to report from Zimbabwe, so
we rely on other sources of news. One is a remarkable independent radio
station, "SW Radio Africa", broadcasting on short wave from London. Hugh
Sykes spent a couple of days with them, listening to the output and
speaking to the people who produce it.
They will put anyone on air, so long as their stories are credible, or can be corroborated. There are some reports of violence against Zanu-PF; but Zanu-PF refuse to be interviewed.
In Zimbabwe, people listen from their homes in the cities, in groups around evening fires in the bush, and sometimes - to improve reception - from the branches of trees. Listeners have called in to report beatings, kidnappings, and a catalogue of violence that has become almost routine. There are also accounts of missing voters' rolls and failure to announce where polling stations are located. Intimidation
There are rumours that ballot boxes may be opened, and opposition supporters identified. There are even warnings not to shake hands before voting, in case you get ink on them: inked hands are proof that you have voted. Observers
SW Radio Africa frequently assure their listeners that the various rumours are unfounded - that the ballot is absolutely secret. They also urge people to report violence to the police, and to the international observers. Turnout
You can hear the station on the web: www.swradioafrica.com |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Links to more PM stories
|
|
| ||
| ^^ Back
to top News Front Page | World | UK | UK Politics | Business | Sci/Tech | Health | Education | Entertainment | Talking Point | In Depth | AudioVideo ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- To BBC Sport>> | To BBC Weather>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- © MMII | News Sources | Privacy | ||