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CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere has condemned the signing into law of the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Amendment Bill 2022, commonly referred to as the “Patriotic Bill” by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, which she described as unconstitutional.
The Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda announced that Mnangagwa has assented to the Patriotic Bill through General Notice 1189 of 2023 published in the Government Gazetted on Friday, 14 July 2023.
Mahere said the signing into law of the controversial Bill proves that Mnangagwa’s government is worse than that of the late former president Robert Mugabe who was deposed by the military in November 2017. <a href="https://twitter.com/advocatemahere/status/1679815541161091072?s=20">Said Mahere</a>:
<blockquote>
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 In the new Zimbabwe, unjust laws will be repealed.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.
</blockquote>
Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono said Friday, 14 July “is a dark day for Zimbabwe”. <a href="https://twitter.com/daddyhope/status/1679808753233805312?s=20">He posted on Twitter</a>:
<blockquote>
The so-called Patriotic Act which criminalizes “wilfully injuring the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe” has been signed into law by President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
The interpretation of what consists of willful injuring the sovereignty and national interests will be contested and abused by captured judicial officers.
The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Act has been condemned by human rights actors both at home and internationally as an instrument meant to punish critics of the corrupt and repressive ZANU PF regime!
This draconian law closes the little free speech space which was available as it violates the Zimbabwean constitution’s right to free speech.
It will see many opposition, government critics and journalists jailed for exercising their constitutional rights.
Currently, Zimbabwe has 2 political prisoners jailed for speaking out against repression and corruption.
Opposition MP and lawyer, Job Sikhala has been in jail for over one year without bail or conviction.
Political activist Jacob Ngarivhume was jailed for 4 years for speaking out against corruption and organizing an anti-corruption march.
The regime inspects Twitter handles of opposition politicians, critics and journalists for anything that offends it and gets them arrested at times using laws that don’t exist.
So this law is meant to muzzle them! Today is a dark day for Zimbabwe!
</blockquote>
The new law provides penalties that include a fine not exceeding level twelve or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years, or both for those found guilty of “wilfully injuring the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe”.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Patriotic Act: Zimbabwe Now A Full-blown Dictatorship, Says Mahere

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed into law the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Amendment Bill 2022, commonly referred to as the “Patriotic Bill”, which criminalizes “wilfully injuring the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe”.
The Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet, Misheck Sibanda announced that Mnangagwa has assented to the Patriotic Bill through General Notice 1189 of 2023 published in the Government Gazetted on Friday, 14 July 2023. Reads the notice:
<blockquote>
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).
</blockquote>
The “Patriotic Bill” amended the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23], which has four clauses, three of which have been described as progressive excluding Clause 2.
Clause 3 amended Section 65 of the Principal Act to make 15 years the minimum required punishment for rape, in response to the rise in crimes of sexual violence and rape.
Clause 4 amended Section 155 of the main Act’s definition of dangerous drugs to include prepared opium, prepared cannabis resin, and a drug schedule.
Clause 5 amended Section 174 of the main Act as the existing definition of criminal abuse of office, as provided for in Section 174 (i), is fairly broad, allowing public officials to be charged for honest mistakes made while doing their duties.
The controversial amendments to Clause 2 (3) read as follows:
<blockquote>
Any citizen or permanent resident of Zimbabwe who, within or outside Zimbabwe, intentionally partakes in any meeting, whose object or one of whose objects the accused knows, or has reasonable grounds for believing involves the consideration of or the planning for the implementation or enlargement of sanctions or a trade boycott against Zimbabwe (whether those sanctions or that boycott is untargeted or targets any individual or official, or class of individuals or officials), but whose effects indiscriminately affect the people of Zimbabwe as a whole, or any substantial section thereof shall be guilty of wilfully damaging the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe and liable to…
</blockquote>
The clause provides penalties that include a fine not exceeding level twelve or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years, or both.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

President Mnangagwa Signs "Patriotic Bill" Into Law

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Monica_Mutsvangwa">Monica Mutsvangwa</a> insisted that the controversial “Patriotic Bill”, legally known as the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Amendment Bill, is not meant to suppress freedom of expression.
The bill, which was passed by Parliament on 07 June this year, has been heavily criticised by civil society organisations, including Amnesty International and Reporters Without Borders.
Speaking to the South African publication <a href="https://www.news24.com/citypress/news/zimbabwes-controversial-new-patriotic-bill-just-about-loving-your-country-says-minister-20230625">City Press</a> in Randburg on Friday, Mutsvangwa said the proposed law was meant to deal with citizens conspiring with outsiders to overthrow the government and campaigning for sanctions. She said:
<blockquote>
I don’t accept that it is controversial. It’s okay for people to talk [about it]. That’s freedom of expression…
People who talk about it [the bill] as being controversial; I’d like to understand what it is they are saying.
Is it good to cooperate with people planning subversion of the constitutionally elected government?
Is it good to cooperate with people who are planning a coup? Is that correct? No.
</blockquote>
Under the Bill, it is a criminal offence for any Zimbabwean citizen to willfully injure the country’s “sovereignty, dignity and independence as a nation”.
Participating in meetings with the intention to promote, advance, encourage, instigate or advocate sanctions or trade boycotts against the country is also prohibited.
Under the proposed new law, those found guilty of being unpatriotic will face up to 10 years in prison or a fine and will be banned from voting and occupying public office, among other penalties.
Mutsvangwa claimed that there had been cases in which citizens would bad-mouth the government because they were paid to do so.
She said being unpatriotic included negative remarks about the scarf that President Emmerson Mnangagwa always wears, which is branded with Zimbabwe’s flag. Said Mutsvangwa:
<blockquote>
But I say, this is our flag. Why are we not proud of our own flag? I was a diplomat in the US. I lived in an exclusive area. Every house in the US had a flag flying. There’s nothing wrong with loving your country.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Patriotic Bill Is About "Loving Your Country", Negative Remarks About ED Scarf Unpatriotic, Says Mutsvangwa

Reporters Without Borders (RSF), an international non-profit and non-governmental organisation whose stated aim is safeguarding the right to freedom of information, has urged Zimbabwe to abandon the “Patrotic Bill” saying it poses a major threat to journalism.
The ZANU PF-dominated Parliament passed the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill, or Patriotic Bill for short, on the night of 31 May 2023.
Clause 2 of the Bill provides for a death sentence or life imprisonment for anyone “wilfully injuring the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe”.
The Bill was passed by the National Assembly and approved by the Senate and will take effect as soon as it receives approval from the President, who has three weeks to sign it into law from the moment he receives it.
Sadibou Marong, <a href="https://rsf.org/en/patriot-bill-threat-zimbabwean-journalists-two-months-elections">the director of RSF’s sub-Saharan Africa desk, said</a>:
<blockquote>
Journalists are exposed to the heavy penalties envisaged in this law, which violates the constitution and international standards on freedom of expression. This law is a formidable tool that will completely muzzle the press.
Two months before the presidential and parliamentary elections, we urge the authorities to respect basic human rights, which include the right to assembly, the right to express oneself, and the right to inform. Journalists must be able to carry out their work without fear.
</blockquote>
Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) executive director Roselyn Hanzi said the law will set a bad precedent in Africa and could lead to more self-censorship in Zimbabwe. She said:
<blockquote>
If a journalist is invited to attend a meeting by a foreign government, they may be forced to reject the invite as they will not know if these topics will not be discussed.
Any other participant at the meeting can raise that subject, and mere attendance may even lead to arrest.
</blockquote>
Hanzi argued that as the Bill’s provisions are loosely worded, they are liable to be misinterpreted and are therefore all the more likely “to stifle freedom of expression”.
She said some of the provisions violate Zimbabwe’s constitution, Article 48 of which limits the death penalty to persons convicted of aggravated murder.
The proposed amendments to Clause 2 (3) read as follows:
<blockquote>
Any citizen or permanent resident of Zimbabwe who, within or outside Zimbabwe, intentionally partakes in any meeting, whose object or one of whose objects the accused knows, or has reasonable grounds for believing involves the consideration of or the planning for the implementation or enlargement of sanctions or a trade boycott against Zimbabwe (whether those sanctions or that boycott is untargeted or targets any individual or official, or class of individuals or officials), but whose effects indiscriminately affect the people of Zimbabwe as a whole, or any substantial section thereof shall be guilty of wilfully damaging the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe and liable to…
</blockquote>
The clause provides penalties that include a fine not exceeding level twelve or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years, or both.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Reporters Without Borders Urge Zimbabwe To Abandon "Patriotic Bill"

Zimbabwe’s Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister, Monica Mutsvangwa, recently spoke on <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">Newzroom Afrika</a> about the state of the country’s economy and the recently passed <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">Criminal Law</a> (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill, also known as the Patriotic Bill.
During the interview, the minister appeared to have difficulty explaining the details of the bill and what it entails. Watch the video below for more:
<div class="wp-video" style="width: 640px;">
<video class="wp-video-shortcode" controls="controls" height="360" id="video-259276-1" preload="metadata" width="640"><source src="https://t792ae.c2.acecdn.net/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Mutsvangwa-PB.mp4?_=1" type="video/mp4"/><a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Mutsvangwa-PB.mp4">https://news.pindula.co.zw/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Mutsvangwa-PB.mp4</a></video></div>
The bill seeks to amend the country’s <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">criminal code</a> and introduce <a class="MarkdownLink_linkifiedLink__KxC9G">new</a> offences related to undermining the authority of the government, among other things. 
The Bill makes it a crime to participate in any meeting where sanctions or trade boycotts against Zimbabwe are considered or planned, regardless of whether the sanctions are targeted or general.
Similarly, it is a crime to attend a meeting where there is talk of military intervention or the overthrow of the constitutional government in Zimbabwe.
If someone raises these issues at a meeting and you then promote or encourage them, you may be charged with a crime, even if you did not know the agenda beforehand. Punishments for offenders are not specified in the Bill.
<h3><a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h3>

WATCH: Information Minister Mutsvangwa Speaks On Patriotic Bill

The founder of the #ThisFlag movement <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Pastor_Evan_Mawarire">Evan Mawarire</a> condemned the passage of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill in the ZANU PF-dominated National Assembly (Lower House of Parliament) on Thursday.
The proposed law contains the contentious Patriotic clause that seeks to punish Zimbabweans who speak badly about the country or associate with foreign diplomats or any other foreigners discussing such issues.
Mawarire said the Bill criminalises citizens’ rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of association, and assembly. He wrote:
<blockquote>
Very sad day for Zimbabwe. Parliament passed the draconian Patriot Act.
It criminalizes freedom of speech, freedom of association, and assembly and disallows Zimbabwe citizens from engaging foreign government officials.
Zimbabwe has become far worse than any of us imagined.
</blockquote>
Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) spokesperson and lawyer <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Fadzayi_Mahere">Fadzayi Mahere</a> said:
<blockquote>
Did you know? A person convicted under the “Patriotic Bill” can potentially face the death sentence.
This violation of the right to life under Section 48 of the Constitution which says the death penalty can only be imposed for murder committed by men between 21-70 years.
</blockquote>
Harare East MP, <a href="https://wiki.pindula.co.zw/Tendai_Biti">Tendai Biti</a> (CCC), who vigorously debated against the passing of the Bill in the National Assembly said:
<blockquote>
It was a day indeed as Parliament passed the Patriot Bill this evening.
The new law is an unprecedented law that seeks to proscribe freedom of association, assembly, and speech of any citizen holding a meeting with a foreign government.
Not even Apartheid Rhodesia passed such repugnant law.
</blockquote>
The Bill seeks to amend the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23], which has four clauses, three of which have been described as progressive excluding Clause 2.
Clause 3 will amend Section 65 of the Principal Act to make 15 years the minimum required punishment for rape, in response to the rise in crimes of sexual violence and rape.
Clause 4 proposes to amend Section 155 of the main Act’s definition of dangerous drugs to include prepared opium, prepared cannabis resin, and a drug schedule.
Clause 5 proposes to amend Section 174 of the main Act as the existing definition of criminal abuse of office, as provided for in Section 174 (i), is fairly broad, allowing public officials to be charged for honest mistakes made while doing their duties.
At least 99 Members of Parliament voted in favour of the amendments while 17 voted against resulting in the adoption of the amendments.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister <a href="https://wiki.pindula.co.zw/Ziyambi_Ziyambi">Ziyambi Ziyambi’s</a> proposed amendments to Clause 2 (3) read as follows:
<blockquote>
Any citizen or permanent resident of Zimbabwe who, within or outside Zimbabwe, intentionally partakes in any meeting, whose object or one of whose objects the accused knows, or has reasonable grounds for believing involves the consideration of or the planning for the implementation or enlargement of sanctions or a trade boycott against Zimbabwe (whether those sanctions or that boycott is untargeted or targets any individual or official, or class of individuals or officials), but whose effects indiscriminately affect the people of Zimbabwe as a whole, or any substantial section thereof shall be guilty of wilfully damaging the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe and liable to…
The clause provides penalties that include a fine not exceeding level twelve or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years, or both.
</blockquote>
The Bill sailed through after the Parliamentary Legal Committee issued a Non-Adverse Report on amendments that had been adopted.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Political Activists Condemn Passage Of 'Patriotic Bill' In Parliament

The Parliament of Zimbabwe has reportedly passed the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Amendment Bill (Criminal Code) which contains a clause that is often referred to as the Patriotic Act.
The clause criminalises “wilfully damaging the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe.”
Posting on Twitter just after 11 PM on 31 May, CCC spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said reports from Parliament had indicated that the Patriotic Bill had been passed. <a href="https://twitter.com/advocatemahere/status/1664018681381150724">She wrote</a>:
<blockquote>
DARK DAY FOR DEMOCRACY – We’re receiving a disturbing report from Parliament that the dangerous, unconstitutional Patriotic Bill brought via an amendment to the Criminal Code has been passed. It criminalises “wilfully damaging the sovereignty &amp; national interest of Zimbabwe.”
</blockquote>
On Tuesday, opposition legislators criticised the Bill during its Second Reading Stage. Warren Park MP Shakespear Hamauswa (CCC) said:
<blockquote>
We need laws that will put back the powers to the people of Zimbabwe. We do not need any law that takes powers from the citizens of Zimbabwe.
We do not need a law that will say if a Zimbabwean complains about mismanagement of resources, then that person is against Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
Norton MP, Temba Mliswa (Independent), was on Tuesday ejected from Parliament after he accused ZANU PF of committing atrocities while debating the Patriotic Bill in the National Assembly.
Mliswa criticised ZANU PF for pushing for the enactment of the Patriotic Act saying the ruling party was “deranged”.
According to the Legal think tank Veritas, Clause 2 of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill, inserted a new section into the Code, creating the crime of “wilfully damaging the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe”. <a href="https://www.veritaszim.net/node/6100">Said Veritas</a>:
<blockquote>
The crime will be committed by a citizen or permanent resident of Zimbabwe who takes an active part in a meeting involving or convened by an agent of a foreign government, if the citizen or resident knows or has reason to believe that the object of the meeting is:
<ul>
<li>to consider or plan armed intervention in Zimbabwe by the foreign government, or</li>
<li>to subvert or overthrow the constitutional Zimbabwean government, or</li>
<li>to consider, implement or extend sanctions or a trade boycott against Zimbabwe, or against an individual or official if the sanctions or boycott affect a substantial section of the people of Zimbabwe.</li>
</ul>
Penalties for the crime differ according to the object of the meeting:
<ul>
<li>if the object of the meeting is to consider or plan armed intervention, the penalty for participating in it is the same as for treason, namely the death sentence or imprisonment for life,</li>
<li>if the object of the meeting is to subvert or overthrow the government, the penalty for participating in it is the same as for subverting constitutional government, namely imprisonment for up to 20 years, and</li>
<li>if the meeting is about sanctions or a trade boycott, the penalty for participating in it is a fine of up to Z$200 000 or imprisonment for up to 10 years or both. And in addition, if the crime is committed in aggravating circumstances (i.e. if sanctions were implemented as a result of the meeting or if a non-binding advisory was issued with the same effect as sanctions, or if the convicted person made a false statement during the meeting) and if the prosecutor so requests, the court may impose any of the following penalties:</li>
</ul>
<ol>
<li>deprivation of citizenship, if the convicted person is a citizen by registration or a dual citizen,</li>
<li>cancellation of residence rights, if the convicted person is a permanent resident of Zimbabwe,</li>
<li>prohibition from being registered as a voter or from voting, for a period between five and 15 years, or</li>
<li>prohibition from holding public office for a period between five and 15 years.</li>
</ol>
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Zimbabwe Parliament Passes Law That Punishes 'Unpatriotic" Citizens

Government on Friday, 23 December 2022 gazetted the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Amendment Bill.
The Bill, which has become known as the Patriotic Bill, seeks to punish Zimbabweans for alleged crimes such as treason and “wilfully damaging the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe”.
Those found guilty will lose citizenship or be barred from voting and holding public office. Part of the Bill reads:
<blockquote>
Any citizen or permanent resident of Zimbabwe (hereinafter in this section called “the accused”) who, within or outside Zimbabwe actively partakes… in any meeting whose object the accused knows or has reasonable grounds for believing involves….military or other armed intervention in Zimbabwe…subverting, upsetting, overthrowing or overturning the constitutional government in Zimbabwe; shall be guilty of wilfully damaging the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe and liable to— (i) the same penalties as for treason, in a case referred to in paragraph (a); or (ii) the same penalties as for subverting the constitutional government.
</blockquote>
The Bill has been condemned by civil society organisations and opposition political parties saying it is an attempt by the ZANU PF-led government to silence critics. Reads the Bill:
<blockquote>
A termination of the citizenship of the convicted person, if the convicted person is a citizen by registration or a dual citizen…prohibition from being registered as a voter or voting at an election for a period of at least five years, but not exceeding 15 years.
Prohibition from filling a public office for a period of at least five years but not exceeding 15 years, and, if he or she holds any such office, the convicting court may declare that that office shall be vacated by the convicted person from the date of his or her conviction, unless the tenure of the public office in question is regulated exclusively by or in terms of the constitution.
</blockquote>
Another controversial Bill, the Private Voluntary Organisations Act Amendment Bill is in the final stages of parliamentary approval. | <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/thestandard/news/article/200005507/mnangagwa-rolls-out-another-draconian-law">The Standard</a>

"Patriotic Bill" Gazetted

The <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Congress_of_Trade_Unions">Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU)</a> has said freedom of expression is under threat after Cabinet approved the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill 2022.
The bill will criminalise conduct deemed as unpatriotic or undermining Zimbabwe’s sovereignty after inserting clauses of the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Patriotic_Bill">Patriotic Bill</a>.
In a statement seen by Pindula News, ZCTU said Zimbabwe does not need the bill. Read the statement:
<blockquote>
<h2>SUBJECT: FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION UNDER THREAT AS GOVERNMENT APPROVES PATRIOTIC BILL</h2>
The Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions (ZCTU) notes with great concern and alarm that Cabinet has approved the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill 2022, that will impose stiff penalties to Zimbabweans who are alleged to be campaigning against perceived national interests.
The Statement by the government indicate that the Bill will criminalize any conduct that is deemed to undermine Zimbabwe’s sovereignty, dignity and national interest. The Bill effectively bars Zimbabwean from talking to foreign governments on the prevailing situation in the country. Even in our African tradition, when a father beats his children, the children can approach neighbours for mediation. Zimbabwe does not need this Bill and by approving this law, the Government is shooting itself in the foot as this will cement the widely held view that Zimbabwe is under authoritarian rule.
There is no doubt that this Bill will be used as a weapon against opponents of the government to clampdown on dissenting voices. The ZCTU believe that issues to do with patriotism should not be imposed on citizens and patriotism does not mean keeping quiet when there is bad governance. Noone has a right to prescribe to Zimbabweans what is and what is not patriotism.
With elections drawing closer, the ZCTU also believes this Bill is meant to instill fear to the society and Zimbabweans not to speak out on issues to do with violence, harassment and intimidation that have been a hallmark of our elections over the years. The Bill is a direct attack on democracy, freedom of expression and association. If it passed, it will confirm that indeed the government enjoys tightening its noose on Zimbabweans.
The ZCTU demands that legislators in Parliament reject the Bill and ensure that Zimbabweans’ right to freedom of expression and association, which are ar teed in our Constitution, are protected.
Runesu Dzimiri ACTING SECRETARY-GENERAL 
</blockquote>
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Freedom Of Expression Under Threat As Zimbabwe Approves The Patriotic Bill" - ZCTU

The Zimbabwean cabinet Tuesday approved the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill, 2022 after inserting clauses of the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Patriotic_Bill">Patriotic Bill</a> which criminalises conduct deemed as unpatriotic or undermining Zimbabwe’s sovereignty.
Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs minister<a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Ziyambi_Ziyambi"> Ziyambi Ziyambi</a>, who also chairs the Cabinet Committee on Legislation, presented the draft law to his government colleagues Tuesday.
Information Minister <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Monica_Mutsvangwa">Monica Mutsvangwa</a> told journalists at a post-cabinet media briefing Tuesday:
<blockquote>
Cabinet considered and approved the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill, 2022, which was presented by the Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Honourable Ziyambi Ziyambi, as Chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Legislation.
The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill, 2022 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.
The Bill also provides for a mandatory sentence in rape and murder cases. In addition, it expands the definition of ‘dangerous drugs’ and also amends the elements which form the crime of abuse of public office.
</blockquote>
The legislation incorporated clauses which first surfaced under the Patriotic Bill which has been opposed by the opposition and civil society who view it as a tool the ZANU PF government intends to use to crack down on dissent.
ZANU PF has often accused the opposition of deliberately campaigning for western imposed sanctions against the country.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">More Pindula News</a></h2>

Patriotic Bill Clauses Inserted Into Criminal Law (Codification & Reform) Amendment Bill 2022

Zimbabwe’s former Deputy Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Obert_Gutu">Obert Gutu</a>, has said South Africans, unlike Zimbabweans, would never demonise their country even in the face of unprecedented challenges.
The law expert said Zimbabweans need the <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/Zimbabwe_Patriotic_Bill">Patriotic Act</a> which will govern their conduct. He said:
<blockquote>
There are unprecedented power cuts in South Africa. But we don’t hear South Africans demonising their country. In Zimbabwe, the usual suspects climb on rooftops &amp; tell the whole world that their country is a failed state. Patriot Act is long overdue in Zimbabwe.
</blockquote>
His remarks come as the ZANU PF government is trying to come up with the Patriotic Bill that has been viewed as an attempt to weaken opposition political parties and make some politicians ineligible to contest elections.
The Patriotic Bill which was proposed in August 2020 prohibits citizens from conniving with “hostile” foreign governments to harm the country by campaigning for the imposition of sanctions or related actions or speeches.
Critics say the bill will be used as justification to violate human rights as it gives authorities permission to snoop into private communications between citizens and officials of foreign governments.
Early this year, the issue of the Bill was brought up for discussion in the UK Parliament and legislators raised displeasure.
<h2><a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a></h2>

"South Africans, Unlike Zimbabweans, Won't Demonise Their Country Despite Challenges"

The National Assembly has adopted a motion to enact the Patriotic Bill which seeks to make it a criminal offence for citizens to say bad things about the country to foreigners.
The proposed law was initially introduced as the Patriotic Bill a few years ago but it is now part of the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill.
ZANU PF MPs supported the motion, while CCC MPs are understood to be against the Bill although they did not get the opportunity to express their views.
Chegutu East legislator Webster Shamu (ZANU PF) moved the motion for adoption. He said:
<blockquote>
I rise to express my sincere appreciation to the Honourable Members who have contributed to this very important motion, a motion which came about as a result of a petition by the Zimbabwe Anti-Sanctions Trust calling on the government to enact legislation criminalising the imposition of sanctions on Zimbabwe by individuals or organisations.
On that note Madam Speaker Ma’am, may I, therefore, move that this motion be adopted.
</blockquote>
Umzingwane legislator Levi Mayihlome (ZANU PF) supported the motion saying calling for sanctions is a threat to national security. Said Mayihlome:
<blockquote>
As enunciated by Honourable Shamu in his report, issues of freedom of expression should not infringe on the rights of other members of society. Furthermore, I just want to emphasize that freedom of expression and association should not threaten national security.
I believe that those who call for sanctions against the nation and infringe on the national interests of this country and also threaten the national security of this country, in what way Madam Speaker, by calling for sanctions are weakening the economy.
By weakening the economy, you are causing economic upheavals and promoting civil disobedience that might need or threaten the stability of the government.
In my view, that is a security threat and whichever way one looks at it, calling for sanctions is actually a threat to national security. There has to be legislation to guard against the threat to national security.
</blockquote>
The principles of the proposed Bill were approved by Cabinet and the Attorney General’s Office has been given drafting instructions.
Parliament wants the Bill to be brought to the House by 30 November 2022.
<h4>More: <a href="https://openparly.com/index.php/2022/04/08/parly-adopts-a-motion-to-enact-the-patriotic-bill/">Open Parly</a></h4>

Parliament Adopts Motion To Enact The 'Patriotic Bill'

While in an interview with the Daily News Justice Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi made sensational claims that the much-disputed Patriotic Bill was a necessity and if no one was sabotaging Zimbabwe they should not panic.
When asked if the Patriotic Bill was meant to silence government critics, Ziyambi said:
<blockquote>
We have never had an appetite to silence anyone. What we are saying is that most progressivecountries have within their criminal code or any other act laws that bar ordinary people to do the work that is reserved for the president.
The president is the one who is tasked with charting the foreign affairs of the country and to send people to represent him.
What we are saying is that we cannot have people going and demonise their country abroad to the extent that the majority of the people will suffer (when sanctions are imposed).
The proposed law is found in almost all other jurisdictions and I do not know why people are panicking, unless they are saboteurs. Those who are criticising this move are saboteurs. 
</blockquote>
During the same interview, Ziyambi also said <a href="https://zero.pindula.co.zw/chamisa-was-never-offered-the-position-of-the-leader-of-opposition-in-parly-ziyambi/">the ruling party never offered Nelson Chamisa</a> the position of the leader of the opposition in parliament and he said all reports to that effect were not confirmed.
More: <a href="https://dailynews.co.zw/security-sector-on-high-alert-to-thwart-mdc-alliance-protests-by-elections-were-banned-to-preserve-lives/">Daily News </a>

Ziyambi On The Patriotic Bill - Why Are You Panicking If You Are Not A Saboteur

The Patriotic Bill which according to The Sunday Mail will criminalise and impose stiff penalties for decampaigning Zimbawe is currently on the cards.
According to the publication, the law will see anyone decampaining the country in public or private correspondence with foreign governments, harming national interests fined or probaly jailed.
Speaking about the Patriotic Bill which is likely to be met with hostility by some Zimbabweans, Justice Ministry Permanent Secretary Virginia Mabiza said:
<blockquote>
The Bill is premised on the constitutional provision on the foreign policy of our country, which values the promotion and protection of the national interests of Zimbabwe. It is the duty of the State to engage other sovereign nations on issues pertaining to foreign relations, and not self-serving citizens.
Conduct such as private correspondence with foreign governments or any officer or agent thereof will be prohibited, including false statements influencing foreign governments, or any other such conduct aimed at undermining the country.
Private citizens will have to avoid conduct such as traveling to foreign countries as self-appointed ambassadors, meeting foreign officials to ndermine the national interest. Conniving with hostile foreign governments and nationals to inflict harm on the country and its citizens will be criminalised.
</blockquote>
Mabhiza said in introducing the Patriotic Bill the government was borrowing a page from the Americans’ book when they introduced a similar bill in 1799:
<blockquote>
All the above conduct will be criminalised and in the event of a conviction, stiff penalties will be imposed. Having noted the diplomatic chaos that comes with private citizens having unauthorised negotiations with foreign governments, the US government passed the Logan Act in 1799. It specifically prohibits citizens from negotiating with other nations on behalf of the United States without authorisation and makes it a crime for a citizen to confer with foreign governments against the interests of the United States.
</blockquote>
A political analyst that spoke to the publication about the Patriotic Bill Mr Godwine Mureriwa said the proposed law was progressive: 
<blockquote>
The fact that the onslaught against Zimbabwe has reached a level where the nation’s sovereignty and national interest are constantly under threat makes such a law relevant.
</blockquote>
The government has <a href="https://news.pindula.co.zw/2020/08/10/there-is-no-crisis-or-implosion-in-zimbabwe-nick-mangwana/">said there is no crisis in Zimbabwe following some human right abuses</a> that were experienced in Zimbabwe in August when the government prohibited, threatened, arrested and abducted some people who were involved in planning, organising and or calling for the 31 July Protests.
More: <a href="https://www.sundaymail.co.zw/new-law-to-criminalise-unpatriotic-acts">The Sunday Mail</a>

Govt Mulls Introducing Patriotic Bill That Criminalizes Decampaigning Zimbabwe

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