In a sh0cking turn of events, former SABC broadcaster and current SADC Executive Director of Good Governance Africa, Chris Maroleng, was forcefully deported from Zimbabwe just days before the highly anticipated elections scheduled for Wednesday next week. Maroleng, a Zimbabwe-born journalist, had travelled to the country with his three colleagues, only to be sent back to South Africa without any official explanation.
Despite having met with Zimbabwean embassy officials in Pretoria and being granted permission to enter the country, Maroleng’s hopes were dashed when he and his colleagues were abruptly deported. The government spokespersons have remained silent on the matter, leaving the public in the dark regarding the reasons behind this apparent ban.
According to journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, who closely followed the incident, Maroleng was scheduled to be flown out on an Air Link jet at 4:15 PM. The sudden deportation has raised questions about the state of press freedom in Zimbabwe and the treatment of international journalists.
Good Governance Africa, an esteemed research and advocacy non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing governance across the continent, had received support from its Zimbabwean partner, Southern Africa Political and Economic Series (SAPES), headed by renowned academic Ibbo Mandaza. SAPES frequently organizes policy dialogue forums, bringing together diplomats, civil society leaders, and activists to discuss crucial governance issues.
Maroleng’s deportation echoes a distressing trend in recent weeks. Nigerian journalist David Hundeyin faced a similar fate in July when immigration authorities raised concerns about his entry into Zimbabwe without a visa.
