By Staff Reporter
PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa Friday signed into law the Patriotic Bill which criminalizes fundamental freedoms of association, assembly and speech of any citizen who holds meetings with foreign diplomats or any other foreigner.
This was announced by Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda who said Mnangagwa assented to the Patriotic Bill through General Notice 1189 of 2023 published in the Government Gazetted on Friday, 14 July 2023.
“The following laws, which were assented to by His Excellency the President, are published in terms of section 131(6)(a) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe – 1. Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Act, 2023. (No. 10 of 2023). 2. Labour Amendment Act, 2023 (No 11 of 2023)” the notice reads.
The much unwanted bill was gazetted on December 23, 2022 and sailed through the parliament in June and was approved by 99 legislators while 17 rejected it before sailing through senate and then Mnangagwa’s assent.
The bill has been widely condemned and criticized by human rights groups, non governmental organizations and opposition parties.
Main opposition the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) party condemned the signing of the bill into law saying this showed Mnangagwa’s regime is worse than the late former President Robert Mugabe’s.
“We condemn the signing into law of the unconstitutional Patriotic Bill. The enactment confirms that Zimbabwe is a full-blown dictatorship run by a regime worse than Robert Mugabe.
“In the new Zimbabwe, unjust laws will be repealed. We will deliver freedom,” Mahere said.
The bill includes criminalising any citizen caught “wilfully injuring Zimbabwe’s sovereignty, dignity and independence as a nation.
Criminalising those who participate in meetings with the intention to promote, advance, encourage, instigate or advocate sanctions or trade boycotts against the country.
Death penalty for those perceived to have colluded to unseat the government, including individuals acting as agents or proxies to such entities.
Under the new law, those found guilty of being unpatriotic will face up to 10 years in prison or a fine.
They also risk having their citizenship revoked or their permanent resident status cancelled. They will be banned from voting and occupying public office.
