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Herald Correspondent
TWO immigrants who attempted to enter the nation through the Sango Border Post while posing as French journalists have been deported, Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services permanent secretary Mr Nick Mangwana has said.
Posting on his official Twitter account, Mr Mangwana said the two tried to enter the country without clearance.
“A couple of people purporting to be French Journalists have just been returned after they tried to enter the country through Sango Border Post without clearances,” he said.
He further warned all foreign journalists intending to cover elections to seek clearance first.
“Please don’t try to sneak into the country, we will question your bona fides. Please apply to come and gather news in Zimbabwe properly and you will be cleared.”
Following President Mnangagwa’s resolve to conduct free, fair and transparent elections, Zimbabwe invited the world to witness this year’s harmonised polls.
However, the Government made it plain that all foreign media planning to cover elections must adhere to all legal requirements.
Foreign journalists intending to cover elections must submit an application through the Zimbabwean embassy in their respective countries, though in exceptional circumstances they may do so directly with the ministry.
Both local and foreign, will be required to apply for the ZEC accreditation in order to be allowed to capture the proceedings in and near polling stations and be able to not just access polling stations, but also the ZEC command centres, observer briefings and to observe elections.
Foreign journalists who would have applied for accreditation, should not travel to Zimbabwe until the clearance has been obtained from the Ministry of Media, Information and Publicity or embassies.
Once journalists are in the country without prior clearance, the norm is to ask them to exit the country in order to further process their applications in terms of standing regulations.
Online Reporter