Zimbabwe passes law to punish 'unpatriotic' citizens

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa. PHOTO | JEKESAI NJIKIZANA | AFP

Zimbabwe’s Parliament has passed a controversial law that seeks to punish “unpatriotic” citizens, yet another legislative move contradicting President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s pledge to expand freedoms.

The ruling party Zanu PF used its parliamentary majority to approve the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill, 2022, widely known as the Patriotic Bill.