By Zivanai Dhewa
The Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, has responded to media personality, Violet Gonda’s attempt to disregard security procedures at a media coverage involving President Mnangagwa and the Captains of Industry at State House yesterday.
“Statehouse is a high security area, whose perimeter, grounds and buildings are highly protected. Like all such institutions elsewhere, taking footage can be subject to restrictions,” read the post on the Ministry’s twitter handle.
Scores of netizens and mostly journalists condemned Gonda’s disregard for regular security requirements when covering events, let alone high profile individuals.
One Nicole Hondo castigated Violet for her attention seeking gimmicks and urged her to observe proper procedures when gathering news.
“Violet Gonda was just trying to be a princess. Security is always tight kuState House and kana vanhu vanzi dzimai maphone ngavadzime, hazvina basa kuti une American accent. Freedom of press does not mean you disobey orders at high security arrears,” said Hondo.
Nehoreka Matigary concurred with Hondo, “True freedoms are guided by obedience to rules governing the place or function you are at. Some people seem to forget that freedoms are not absolute, so one must never breach other laws in pursuit of their freedoms.”
Philemon Mutedzi, an active netizen, rubbished attempts by some individuals who seemed to suggest that Gonda’s brush with the security personnel was an attempt by Government to muzzle the press.
“You have taken the conspiracy theory to a new level baba, it’s a simple case of a non-compliant, attention seeking journalist, other media practitioners such as the Daily News Zimbabwe and the News Day Zimbabwe report more stinging stories against Government but are invited and comply with the necessary rules,” wrote Mutedzi.
Matters Arising added that “Violet was seeking attention and she got it. But that does not stop us from analysing the reality, apa hapana politics apa, Violet was not harassed. Violet was requested to produce a document called an accreditation card as required by law to gain access or permission.”
“Security has a right to request those documents when a journalist enters a security area. Hamusi mutoilet kaumu Vhayi,” she said.
Gladman Chitondo weighed in, saying, “Violet was politely asked to produce her accreditation pass and she became hostile. Now it emerges that she didn’t have it on person. Other journos hang their passes around the neck for easy identification.”
Gonda was once banned by former president Robert Mugabe for her uncouth behaviour, a situation that saw her in self-exile in the United Kingdom, where she is currently a producer and presenter of SW Radio Africa. She has a tendency of seeking attention using all the wrong reason. This time around, her attempt of using the stunt to get an award for journalist of the year failed dismally as she was caught in her tracks and condemned outright.
