Rhodesia the Propagandawar

$1.00 Rhodesia The PropagandaWar This latest report from the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Rhodesia highlights the extent of the propaganda war being waged by the Rhodesia Front regime. It also illustrates the contradictions of the propaganda campaign-to assuage white fears on the one hand and on the other to terrorise the black popula tion in an attempt to isolate the guerrillas. As support for the nationalist cause has increased, the propaganda has become increasingly strident. It takes several forms-displaying the mutilated corpses of guerrillas and distributing photographs of them accompanied by threats, warning the black population that if they co operate with the guerillas they will be killed. The latest element in the psychological warfare is the mass dis tribution of crude leaflets depicting guerrillas as 'mad dog terrorists', responsible for killing, rape and spread ing venereal disease. At the same time the government has issued regulations which make it an offence to publish or distribute anything which may contribute to the spreading of alarm and despondency. Whilst the regime is thus actively engaged in spreading alarm and despondency among black Rhodesians, it is going to inordinate lengths to prevent white Rhodesians from knowing the truth of their situation. International coverage of the war in Rhodesia is at best mediocre. There is a dearth of foreign correspondents inside the country so that several newspapers have to rely on the same reporter writing under different names. Foreign correspondents have to be careful not to be too critical of the Rhodesian regime. Those who are too critical either have to leave the country or are deported. Recently the BBC correspondent Brian Barron has been refused an extension of his work permit because when he reported on a massacre of 23 blacks in north eastern Rhodesia he said "Well, we only have the Rhodesian security forces version of the massacre..." Few journalists are permitted to enter the operational areas and those who are allowed to do so are subject to cen sorship. As a result, most reporters are dependent on government statements and few have any opportunity for rounded background investigation. In consequence the realities of the war are distorted. This report includes an analysis of the Rhodesian regime's policy of rounding up rural Africans into "protec ted villages". It is estimated that these villages now contain half a million Africans in conditions of great hardship. This inhuman policy has gone largely uncriticised in the media. Indeed Rhodesian propaganda presents these villages as havens of safety and welcomed by the local people. It is clear that some of the atrocities of the war are committed by the Rhodesian security forces. Indeed the judgement of many missionaries on the spot is that the army is responsible for the bulk of the terrorising, brutality and killing of civilians. Rarely, if ever, is this conveyed in the international press. One incident described in this report tells of the killing of 35 civilians, most of them women and children and the serious wounding of another 31 by the security forces. The initial report of this incident in London's largest evening newspaper, the Evening News, stated "guerrillas kill 34". According to the first report in the Evening News "Security chiefs (said) the civilians were lined up and shot with automatic weapons". In later editions the story had altered to the "killed in crossfire" account which also appeared in other British newspapers. The security forces, who claimed they were merely engaged in a normal follow-up operation of nine guerrillas, described the incident as "an unfortunate set-back". Eventually the truth of what had happened was con ceded but dismissed as "unfortunately inevitable in fighting of this nature". (Rhodesian Herald Editorial, May 11 1977.) The fact is, far from protecting black civilians, the Rhodesian security forces place little value on their lives. In view of such incidents it is understandable that nationalists accuse the Rhodesian security forces of shoot ing anything black that moves. Nor is it surprising that the control of the army and police is a crucial factor in any negotiations for a settlement. Evidence of the kind of lawlessness which is being legitimised by the Rhodesian government is continually emerging. In the most recent example, the Rhodesian Minister for Justice and Law and Order, Hilary Squires, assured white vigilante groups that they would be indemnified against any legal repercussions if they killed anyone whilst recovering stolen cattle (The Times, July 28 1977). Statements from the Rhodesian government about the importance of maintaining law and order in the 'interim period' sound hollow under such circum stances. CIR LONDON September 1977 This Report was reprinted by permission of The Catholic Institute for InternationalRelations. The text has not been altered in any way but some graphics have been omitted. tate to alarm the people of Makoni Tribal Trust Land Causing alarm or and to make them despondent by threatening to kill them, but anyone else who writes anything to which despondency: a crime the government objects can quickly be silenced by a jail sentence and a fine. Mimeographed papers titled "Makoni Gandanzara The new regulations also place stricter control Military News" were dropped from a light plane as it over the taking of photographs. They give the Com circled over Makoni Tribal Trust Land in Eastern missioner of Police power to confiscate any film Rhodesia on Tuesday, 7 June 1977. taken anywhere in the country and processed any Typed in English, the single sheets carried a crude where if he believes that to do so is in "the interests threat to all persons in the area which read: of public safety or public order." Previously the "protecting authority" of an area could forbid photo graphs being taken and could confiscate film only WARNING TO ALL within his own area. The new law removes all such Tigers. geographic limitations. Terrorist informers. The movement of journalists is severely curtailed Terrorist agents. and few are permitted within the operational areas. Sympathisers and feeders of terrorists. Those who wish to be defence correspondents must Recruiters for terrorist training. sign a document which sets down rigid conditions they must accept to obtain press accreditation. This There are still some people who continue to includes submitting all their material for help the terrorists and a few even try to do examination if called on to do so; receiving approval their evil work for them. These people are from the military and civil authorities for all inter counted as terrorists and will be killed by the views with any of their personnel; reporting all visits Security Forces. to the operational areas to the joint operational cen tre; and obeying the laws of Rhodesia including the Official Secrets Act which is given to every journal The leaflets went on to boast that the majority of ist who applies to be a defence correspondent. people now supply information to the security for On 8 June, two days before the new additions to ces. "This makes it easier to catch and kill the the Emergency Powers (Maintenance of Law and terrorists and their 'pet dogs';" it explained. Label Order) regulations were issued, a local publisher, ing the guerillas as cowards, who murder and rob Mr. Herbert Munangatire, ran into censorship innocent people, the sheet stated that "the majority problems. The latest weekly edition of his three of the people are tired of the terrorists and their month old paper, "The Zimbabwe Times," with a cir pets." "You have now been warned," the message culation of 25,000, was almost banned. After discus concluded. "Beware of the anger of the people and sions with government officials who had gone to the the Security Forces." printers and read through the proofs, three "offend The same week that this propaganda was being ing items" were removed and the paper appeared a dropped on rural villages, the Rhodesian Govern day behind schedule. ment issued more stringent emergency regulations. The church press too has not been exempt from Rhodesia has been in a state of emergency since official harassment. Mambo Press, a publishing just before UDI in 1965, and the regulations have house of the Catholic Church which puts out a mon been amended 32 times. Besides giving the govern thly newspaper "Kristo" as well as many books and ment more powers to punish the guerillas and those pamphlets, lost an appeal in January against four who assist them, the new regulations also further counts of contravening the law and order (Mainten restrict the free flow of information. As the Rhodesia ance) Act. As Mr. Judge Lewis ruled, "Mambo Press Herald of 11 June reported, "It is also now an offence publications-when they deal with political mat to 'communicate to any other person any rumour or ters-are regarded by the Rhodesian authorities as report which is likely to cause alarm or despondency.' prejudicial to the security of the country." This is punishable by a fine of $100 or three months Mambo Press hashad frequent brushes with the in jail. Anyone writing, publishing or distributing government over the years. Its former newspaper, anything likely to cause alarm or despondency, or to "Moto", was banned in 1970 and its editor, Fr. lead to action which might be detrimental to Michael Traber, deported. Fr. Plangger, the present national defence, public safety, public order or the manager of Mambo Press, will face another court termination of the state of public emergency is case in late July for other issues of "Kristo." punishable by a fine of $600 or six months in jail." The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace Such contradictory actions within the same week also ran into problems last month when a booklet of highlight the double standards which characterize press cuttings about one of its publications was the present situation.

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