‘Sad day for Zimbabwe’ as Mnangagwa passes ‘draconian’ law to silence critics ahead of August poll

Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday signed into law a bill that imposes penalties on citizens who portray a negative image of the country, ignoring a chorus of disapproval from opposition parties and pro-democracy groups.

The Criminal Law Codification and Reform Amendment Bill, commonly referred to as the Patriotic Bill, punishes Zimbabweans for “wilfully injuring the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe.”

The enactment of the new law, which has been described by critics as “draconian”, comes only a few weeks before the country holds general elections that some observers say have already been undermined by politically motivated violence and an uneven playing field.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights spokesperson, Kumbirai Mafunda, described the latest move by President Mnangagwa as a “sad day for democracy” in Zimbabwe.

“We are saddened that Zimbabwe is taking a route that is retrogressive in terms of hampering citizens from exercising their rights. It’s a sad day for Zimbabwe; it’s a sad day for democracy. We are quite taken aback by a government that had made promises that it will enhance or make people enjoy their rights. We are seeing this happening towards an election and this shows that the government does not want any constructive criticism and constructive advice,” Mafunda said.

Another human rights watchdog, Amnesty International, criticised the enactment of the new law saying it was an impediment to the enjoyment of fundamental freedoms enshrined in the country’s constitution.

‘Disturbing’ crackdown on human rights

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