In rural Zimbabwe, a group of grandmothers counters alleged election intimidation, bias on WhatsApp

Four women huddle around a cellphone in Zimbabwe's rural Domboshava area, on Aug 16 2023. People in Zimbabwe's rural areas claim they are facing intimidation and a biased state-run media which limits their ability to support opposition parties ahead of national elections next week. To combat that, one group of grandmothers is using the WhatsApp messaging app to spread information from the opposition party they support in an attempt to cut through the propaganda. — AP

DOMBOSHAVA, Zimbabwe: Four grandmothers wearing bright yellow headscarves, T-shirts and skirts huddled around a cellphone in Zimbabwe’s rural Domboshava area. They cackled at a video showing a troop of mischievous baboons ripping up ruling party election posters with the face of the president on them.

With a swish and a click, 64-year-old Elizabeth Mutandwa posted the video on a couple of community WhatsApp groups, and followed it up with some election campaign information from the party she supports in next week’s election – the main opposition Citizens Coalition for Change.