Parliament has passed the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Amendment Bill (Criminal Code).
It contains a Patriotic Act which destroys freedom of association as it criminalises “wilfully damaging the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe.”
The bill faced heavy criticism from opposition critics who said it violates freedom of speech and expression.
Evans Mawarire said: It criminalizes freedom of speech, freedom of association & assembly & disallows Zim citizens from engaging foreign government officials”.
Citizens Coalition for Change spokesperson Fadzai Mahere described the development as a dark day for democracy.
Prominent Journalist Hopewell Chin’ono said freedom of speech is now dead and any Zimbabwean holding a meeting with foreign officials will now be jailed.
