How Twitter was used to Scrutinise the Zimbabwe Elections with Sokwanele

By twexpert224 • March 3, 2009

Back in June 2008, one of the key “quiet” news sources for Bloggers and Journalists tracking the Zimbabwe elections was a Twitter feed run by the Zimbabwe Civic Action Support Group alongside their blog Sokwanele (”Enough is Enough”).

I ran a Flick-R photo feed about abuse and violence meted out by Robert Mugabe’s followers to those opposing his regime in the elections in Zimbabwe for several weeks.

Bur the Twitter feed at http://twitter.com/sokwanele was the place for breaking news. Here are the entries from late May covering the detention of Morgan Tsvangirai.

Here’s the Tweet that broke the news, and here’s the transcript.

Tsvangirai RELEASED. Ordered to go back to Bulawayo. Police say they are acting on an instruction “from the top.”

2 days ago from web

Morgan Tsvangirai detained again. Being held at Esigodini: +263 (0)88 599 / (0)88 577 / (0)88 433 / (0)88 327 –> 01:26 PM June 06, 2008 from web

Morgan Tsvangirai has been RELEASED after 9 hrs - was charged for “attracting a large number of people around him at Lupane growth point”. 11:28 PM June 04, 2008 from web

Morgan Tsvangirai detained by police in Zimbabwe - we believe he is at ZRP Lupane. Numbers to call on our blog: 04:46 PM June 04, 2008 from web

Mugabe is at the Ambasciatori Palace Hotel (Rome). Leave him messages. Tel- +39 06 47 493; Fax +39 06 47 43 601; info@ambasciatoripalace.com 11:42 AM June 03, 2008 from web

Robert Mugabe and Grace are attending a UN food summit in Rome!! Details of how you can take action on our blog:

12:55 PM June 02, 2008 from web

Correction: Benny Mbidzo was the campaign strategist for the MP for Goromonzi West, not for Iain Kay as per our earlier message. 04:14 PM June 01, 2008 from web

MP Iain Kay now in Murewa Prison. Update on our site, with news that Benny Mbidzo, Kay’s campaign strategist, has been adbucted. Missing. 03:43 PM June 01, 2008 from web

Iain Kay, MDC MP, moved from Marondera to Mutoko prison where he has less support. Please call and support him. 10:54 PM May 28, 2008 from web

Mabel Penisara found alive. Abducted by 20 zanu, she was left for dead by the side of a road. Has serious torture injuries. Pray for her. 05:40 PM May 28, 2008 from web

Alert:3 activists arrested, Bindura. No lawyer present. Call +263(0)71 6132 or(0)717382 & ask their rights upheld. 12:03 PM May 27, 2008 from web

~ 80 church-goers just arrested. Borrowdale, Harare. Author Peter Godwin among them. Please call +263(0)4882819 & object. More on our blog. 03:29 PM May 25, 2008 from web

Arrested MP in Zimbabwe: Updated tel numbers to call to lobby for Iain Kay’s safety & human rights on our blog. 01:17 AM May 25, 2008 from web

MDC MP Iain Kay (arrested 21st May) moved to remand prison for at least 2wks on trumped-up charges of inciting violence in Mashonaland East 04:34 PM May 24, 2008 from web