Criminal Act stifles political debate: Veritas

By Harriet Chikandiwa | Jul. 22, 2023 | 2 Min read

LEGAL think-tank, Veritas, has condemned the Criminal (Codification and Reform) Act as the worst form of legislation that stifles political debate and makes Zimbabwe a Pariah state.

A section inserted into the Criminal (Codification and Reform) Bill signed into law by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last week criminalises wilful damaging of the country’s sovereignty and national interest.

The so-called Patriot Bill was widely condemned, but sailed through the Zanu PF-dominated Parliament and Senate before Mnangagwa appended his signature.

In its publication titled: The “Patriot Act”: The crime of wilfully injuring the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe, Veritas said the Act creates a new crime, which suffocates political debate.

Veritas said it was regrettable that the Bill was signed into law weeks away from the elections, effectively shutting down the democratic space.

"The Act creates a new crime, “wilfully injuring the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe,” Veritas said.

“The crime is expressed in convoluted language, which is difficult to understand, and there is a real danger that law enforcement authorities will interpret it too broadly.

“Hence concern has been expressed, amongst others, that the crime will stifle political debate and have a chilling effect on the activities of civil society organisations.”

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Veritas warned that the new law may be used to target the ruling Zanu PF party’s critics ahead of the elections.

"The new offence, in short, is liable to be used to suppress dissenting political voices," Veritas said.

Other opposition politicians have argued that patriotism cannot be legislated.

Zanu PF has praised Mnangagwa for signing the Bill, saying other countries such as the United States have similar legislation.

Washington has the Logan Act.

Under the new law, anyone found guilty of wilfully damaging the national sovereignty and interests shall be liable to “a fine not exceeding level 12 or imprisonment for a period not exceeding 10 years or both.”