PEN Canada for Freedom of Expression

Writers in Exile

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Zimbabwe

Thomas Madondoro
Thomas Madondoro is a journalist who arrived in Canada in late 2004. He observed Robert Mugabe’s ruling ZANU-PF party with a critical eye, for both the private and public media. Madondoro began as a business reporter for the now-defunct Daily News and the Herald. He then joined the government’s Information Centre, interpreting and circulating domestic economic policy for an international audience. Nevertheless, Madondoro never had the freedom to conduct analysis and write his articles independently. He therefore resigned and returned to the private media. Working for the Financial Gazette, Madondoro used the contacts developed while working for the government, as well as the confidential information to which he had been privy, to write several critical articles. In August 2004, Madondoro’s troubles began when he received anonymous threatening phone calls and members of a youth militia followed him, calling him a “media terrorist”.More threats followed. The next month, while investigating a story in rural Zimbabwe, armed men and supporters of Mugabe detained, interrogated and tortured Madondoro before allowing him to go. He left the country soon after.

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I owe PEN Canada for whatever it is we call a home…. I was deeply traumatized when I crossed mountains to flee my invaded home. When I got here, the immigration office labelled me as ‘general labour’. I am nothing less than ‘highly-skilled labour’ - in the field of poetry.” Poet and PEN Canada writer in exile Saghi Ghahraman