Analysts say the advertisements on ZBC, a ZANU-PF mouthpiece, indicate that the former ruling party of President Robert Mugabe is gearing up for elections that are increasingly expected to take place in 2011
The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation has continued to defy a Cabinet decision banning the airing of ZANU-PF jingles or musical spots deemed divisive and offensive by the Movement for Democratic Change, a governing party.Reiterating its position last week, the Cabinet ordered the state broadcaster to stop playing the spots on radio and television, but it has yet to comply. ZBC Chief Executive Happison Muchechetere has said he won't pull the spots.
Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara said last week that government had instructed Information Minister Webster Shamu to issue a directive instructing the state broadcaster to cease airing the offending jingles, which glorify ZANU-PF and President Robert Mugabe, declaring that he remains in charge despite the national unity government.
Political analyst Mlamuli Nkomo told VOA Studio 7 reporter Ntungamili Nkomo that the ZBC is getting its orders from ZANU-PF, adding that the brouhaha reflects underlying divisions within the 17-month-old inclusive government.
Other analysts say the advertisements on ZBC, which remains a mouthpiece for ZANU-PF, signal that the former ruling party is gearing up for elections that are increasingly expected to take place in 2011.
* VoA
