News / National
Zanu-PF affiliate pushes for criminalisaton of 'unpatriotic' citizens
27 Oct 2023 at 01:19hrs | Views
Zimbabwe Against Sanctions Trust (ZAST), an affiliate of Zanu-PF, has announced its efforts to advocate for more severe penalties against individuals and groups suspected of damaging the country's reputation. This announcement followed ZAST's participation in anti-sanctions events in Harare on Wednesday.
After the commemorations, ZAST leader Norbert Hosho addressed journalists and stated that they were working towards the enactment of laws that would criminalize actions harming the country's interests. He emphasized their commitment to protecting Zimbabwe's national interest and suggested initiating legal processes against those who intentionally harm it.
Hosho explained, "We have petitioned Parliament to enact a law which, among other things, criminalizes the deliberate spread of false or incorrect news or information that would cause consumers to refrain from buying, or to disrupt the supply of goods to markets and thereby cause prices to rise."
The receipt of this petition by Speaker of the National Assembly, Jacob Mudenda, could not be confirmed.
ZAST's call for stricter legislation against Zimbabweans perceived as unpatriotic comes after President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill 2022, commonly known as the "Patriot Bill." This law criminalizes actions that deliberately harm Zimbabwe's sovereignty and national interests, with potential penalties including loss of citizenship, denial of the right to vote, and even the death penalty.
Hosho also mentioned their advocacy for the establishment of a special anti-sanctions commission, emphasizing that ZAST had presented a petition to Parliament in April 2022 requesting the formation of such a commission. Its role would include investigating the misconceptions surrounding the sanctions issue and making policy recommendations based on its findings.
Zanu-PF attributes targeted sanctions to hindering economic growth and contributing to widespread poverty. The United States and the European Union initially imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2000, citing human rights violations and electoral fraud as the reasons for their actions.
After the commemorations, ZAST leader Norbert Hosho addressed journalists and stated that they were working towards the enactment of laws that would criminalize actions harming the country's interests. He emphasized their commitment to protecting Zimbabwe's national interest and suggested initiating legal processes against those who intentionally harm it.
Hosho explained, "We have petitioned Parliament to enact a law which, among other things, criminalizes the deliberate spread of false or incorrect news or information that would cause consumers to refrain from buying, or to disrupt the supply of goods to markets and thereby cause prices to rise."
ZAST's call for stricter legislation against Zimbabweans perceived as unpatriotic comes after President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill 2022, commonly known as the "Patriot Bill." This law criminalizes actions that deliberately harm Zimbabwe's sovereignty and national interests, with potential penalties including loss of citizenship, denial of the right to vote, and even the death penalty.
Hosho also mentioned their advocacy for the establishment of a special anti-sanctions commission, emphasizing that ZAST had presented a petition to Parliament in April 2022 requesting the formation of such a commission. Its role would include investigating the misconceptions surrounding the sanctions issue and making policy recommendations based on its findings.
Zanu-PF attributes targeted sanctions to hindering economic growth and contributing to widespread poverty. The United States and the European Union initially imposed sanctions on Zimbabwe in 2000, citing human rights violations and electoral fraud as the reasons for their actions.
Source - newsday
