Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe has condemned the denial of access to freelance journalist Nunurai Jena at the 23rd Zanu PF Annual People’s Conference in Chinhoyi, after security officers confiscated his accreditation card and ordered him to leave.

Jena was barred from entering Chinhoyi University of Technology (CUT) on October 16, 2026, despite reportedly holding press accreditation issued by Zanu PF headquarters in Harare the previous week, according to MISA Zimbabwe.

Jena said security officials at Gate No. 1 rejected his card after their scanning system reportedly flagged it as “unfounded”.

A second scan at another gate produced the same result, after which officers accused him of forging the credentials.

He was questioned for about 45 minutes, and his personal details were recorded before security personnel confiscated the card and escorted him to the university’s main gate.

He was also warned not to return.

MISA Zimbabwe said denying journalists access to cover the ruling party’s conference was concerning because decisions made by Zanu-PF affect the wider society and should be reported so the public can access verified information.

The media organisation said the incident undermined press freedom and journalists’ constitutional duty to inform the public.

It added that concerns about journalists’ conduct should be addressed through established mechanisms, including the Zimbabwe Media Commission, rather than by preventing them from carrying out their work.

The 23rd Zanu-PF Annual People’s Conference is being held at CUT in Chinhoyi, Mashonaland West.