Prohibited play in Zimbabwe |
| Posted by ann mari (annmari) on 06/09/2012 |
| cases >> Africa |
Lawyers Take on Censorship Board
Human rights lawyers are now fighting to overturn the ban of No Voice No Choice by the Board of Censors of Zimbabwe who last week prohibited and banned the play, alleging that its contents were inciteful and against the spirit of national healing and reconciliation. Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), representing the celebrated playwright Tafadzwa Muzondo filed an urgent chamber application in the High Court challenging the Board of Censors of Zimbabwes decision.
The lawyers Tawanda Zhuwarara and Bellinda Chinowawa of ZLHR want the high court to issue an order interdicting the Board of Censors of Zimbabwe and its functionaries from preventing the staging of the performance at any venue in Zimbabwe and permit Muzondo and his Edzai Isu Theatre Arts Project to perform the play at the Intwasa Arts Festival.
No Voice, No choice was expected to run at several Zimbabwean theatre halls and community centers as part of artists bid to spread the message of peace using theatre including at the forthcoming Intwasa Arts Festival scheduled for Bulawayo later this month.
Before its ban, the play had been to regional countries such as South Africa and Zambia, while locally it was staged in Harare, Manicaland and Masvingo provinces. "We are seating on 150 A2 full colour posters for Intwasa which were delivered to us yesterday but we cannot send them to Bulawayo where they are needed to advertise the show because there is an entry fee to the Bulawayo theatre", commented Muzondo. Any further questions are referred to the lawyers.
Last changed: 06/09/2012 at 15:53
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