Zimbabwe’s social media revolution by-passes rural areas

But further north in Mount Darwin district, Samanyanga was sure his friends were not aware of latest political events.

In Zimbabwe, the main users of social media are youths born after independence. They make up the majority of the population and constitute the bulk of the frustrated jobless.

Mugabe is the only ruler they know and if he gets his way in elections due in 2018, the president – who will be 94 then – will be seeking to extend his rule to more than 40 years.

“On WhatsApp, I get to see and know what is happening, and how people are organising themselves. I am connected with friends and family,” said Tichaona, Samuel’s friend, who declined to give his surname.

The government is drafting a Computer Crime and Cyber Crime Bill, which will allow authorities to seize phones and laptops, seen as an attempt to curb the use of social media in organising anti-government demonstrations.

“We are not going to give you free rein to undermine the party and president the way that you are doing,” ZANU-PF national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere told a recent party rally.

“We are going to fight you and we are going to stop you,” said Kasukuwere, nicknamed Tyson after the ferocious former boxing champion Mike Tyson.-The Source

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