Zimbabwe approves law to jail ‘unpatriotic citizens as old as 80 years

FILE: Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa

HARARE, Zimbabwe - Zimbabweans who are perceived as unpatriotic will now face a jail term as of the new proposed law.

This new proposed law ‘Patriotic Act’ will punish ‘unpatriotic” citizens as the 80-year-old ruler moves to silence critics and entrench his reign.

President Emerson Mnangagwa promised a law that will punish Zimbabweans who lobby for sanctions against the country soon after winning the disputed 2018 elections.

Monica Mutsvangwa -Information minister while briefing journalists in Harare earlier this week revealed that the cabinet had approved the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill 2022 targeting those deemed as undermining Zimbabwe’s national interest.

The Bill was presented by justice, legal, and parliamentary affairs minister Ziyambi Ziyambi.

Monica “The [bill] enhances the provisions of the criminal law code in matters relating to the country’s sovereignty through the criminalization of conduct that undermines Zimbabwe’s sovereignty, dignity, independence, and national interests.”

President Mnangagwa’s ruling Zanu PF has been making threats to criminalize conduct it deems as unpatriotic, including calling for sanctions.

However, critics say the proposed law is part of a sustained attack on freedom of expression by the Zimbabwean ruler, who took over power in 2017 following a military coup that toppled longtime ruler Robert Mugabe.

After returning from brief exile in South Africa after the coup, the former vice-president and longtime lieutenant of the late Robert Mugabe promised a new kind of democracy under his rule, but critics say he is a worse autocrat than his predecessor.

Former minister and now deputy leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change- Tendai Biti described the proposed law as “fascist and unconstitutional”.
“This so-called Patriotic Bill is no more than a predatory instrument to proscribe alternative views and values.”

He added that“Every true Zimbabwe will protect her country, but also has right to protect injustice and abuse. “We reject this unconstitutional, desperate fascist law.”

GAROWE ONLINE