Zimbabwean authorities have deported four people who flew into the country to cover next week's general election.

Former South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) broadcaster Chris Maroleng - who is the executive director of Good Governance Africa in the Southern African Development Community region - and three of his colleagues were denied clearance to cover the election and informed of their deportation on Thursday.

Government spokesperson Nick Mangwana said Zimbabwe was deporting foreign journalists who misrepresented their real purpose to be in the country to immigration authorities, adding:

Quote Message: If you are an election observer, say so, we accredit such. If you are a journalist, say so, we accredit such. If you make misrepresentations to the immigration officer, you may find yourself on the next plane home."

If you are an election observer, say so, we accredit such. If you are a journalist, say so, we accredit such. If you make misrepresentations to the immigration officer, you may find yourself on the next plane home."

Mr Maroleng, however, insists that his team had followed all the rules to get accreditation.

In total, Zimbabwe's electoral body has only accredited 15 foreign journalists - but is accepting more than 3,500 local observers, over 130 foreign monitors, and more 370 local reporters.

Source: BBC