Zimbabwe's ruling party, Zanu PF, is working on new rules about social media because members keep fighting with leaders online as internal battles continue. The party presented this digital media policy to its top leadership on Wednesday because they worry about members misusing social media platforms.
Patrick Chinamasa, who handles legal matters for Zanu PF, told reporters at party headquarters that certain members use social media channels to create problems inside the organization. He explained their political director leads a team developing these guidelines since harmful content damages the party's reputation and unity.
Chinamasa made it clear they disapprove when any party member, from regular folks up to the president, criticizes fellow members online instead of using proper communication channels. He believes the upcoming policy will help restore order, discipline, and unity throughout their political movement. The party struggles to control both regular members and supporter groups supposedly created to back President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
One group called Varakashi for ED recently attacked Chinamasa after he warned them about hurting the party's image. These supporter groups face accusations of encouraging factions despite Mnangagwa publicly stating he won't seek another term. Though many groups formed to fight opposition messages online, they often reflect divisions between those loyal to Mnangagwa versus supporters of his deputy Constantino Chiwenga, who many see as the next leader.
Chinamasa warned that once the new digital rules are approved, the party will immediately stop members who oppose party positions. He claimed they developed technology to identify people hiding behind fake accounts. The party recently kicked out and suspended several members accused of spreading divisive messages through social media platforms.
Patrick Chinamasa, who handles legal matters for Zanu PF, told reporters at party headquarters that certain members use social media channels to create problems inside the organization. He explained their political director leads a team developing these guidelines since harmful content damages the party's reputation and unity.
Chinamasa made it clear they disapprove when any party member, from regular folks up to the president, criticizes fellow members online instead of using proper communication channels. He believes the upcoming policy will help restore order, discipline, and unity throughout their political movement. The party struggles to control both regular members and supporter groups supposedly created to back President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
One group called Varakashi for ED recently attacked Chinamasa after he warned them about hurting the party's image. These supporter groups face accusations of encouraging factions despite Mnangagwa publicly stating he won't seek another term. Though many groups formed to fight opposition messages online, they often reflect divisions between those loyal to Mnangagwa versus supporters of his deputy Constantino Chiwenga, who many see as the next leader.
Chinamasa warned that once the new digital rules are approved, the party will immediately stop members who oppose party positions. He claimed they developed technology to identify people hiding behind fake accounts. The party recently kicked out and suspended several members accused of spreading divisive messages through social media platforms.
