There is now the form but little substance of representative government, despite rising factionalism in ZANU-PF ranks. The judiciary remains largely independent and has repeatedly struck down or disputed government actions. A new Public Order and Security Bill restricts rights further, limiting public assembly and allowing police to impose arbitrary curfews. Intelligence agencies are now included among law enforcement agencies empowered to disperse illegal assemblies or arrest participants. Another clause establishes as a criminal offense any individual or media uttering, publishing, or distributing news deemed by the state to be subversive.
Prison conditions are reportedly harsh.
The right of free assembly is constitutionally guaranteed but generally respected only for groups that the government deems non-political. Union demonstrations were banned in November. The founder of the Southern African Human Rights Foundation, Archbald Ngcobo, escaped from Zimbabwe to Zambia in April, but was handed back to his country s authorities in December. His fate is unknown. Religious practice is respected.