Embattled Mnangagwa criminalises campaigning against one’s country.
HARARE,Zimbabwe.（News of the South）-President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Wednesday announced new measures to criminalize campaigning against one’s country.
By Antonnate S Mugodi
The Zimbabwean ruler was reacting to the growing criticism of his autocratic rule.
In a post cabinet briefing, Small and Medium Enterprise Minister Sithembiso Nyoni said that ministers approved plans to draw up a code of conduct to regulate the operations and conduct of all political parties.
Mnangagwa’s Zanu PF party can amend laws and even the constitution since it has two thirds majority in parliament.
Nyoni claimed that the recommendations were made by the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission which is led by Retired Judge, Selo Nare.
The proposed legislative changes will also see existing laws strengthened to include elements that foster tolerance, equality and social cohesion among Zimbabweans as well as prohibit hate speech by public officials, media houses, and citizens in public spaces and social, print and electronic media platforms.
Popular anger has risen over an economic crisis marked by inflation running above 700 percent, shortages of foreign currency and public hospitals crippled by strikes and a lack of medicine.
Mnangagwa maintains that his rivals, whom he calls terrorists, dark forces and rogue elements are being sponsored by detractors in Europe and the United States to destabilise his regime.
The MDC Alliance deputy president, Tendai Biti said that planned government measures were coming through a badly drafted Cyber Security and Data protection Bill.
He described it as a fascist dross that is intended to muzzle free speech and media and also said that it is a regime that is desperate to silence dissent.
South Africa’s ANC condemned state-sponsored violence in Zimbabwe saying President Cyril Ramaphosa is engaging President Mnangagwa on the issue.
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