Patriotic Bill signed into law

Philemon Jambaya

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has signed the Patriotic Bill into law, the government has announced in a notice published today, Friday.

The Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Act 2023 lists as an offense “willfully injuring the sovereignty and national interests of Zimbabwe” by citizens calling for military intervention and sanctions against the country.

Certain Civil Society Organisations and Non-Governmental Organisations backed by the United States of America have been lobbying against the bill saying that it is anti-democratic as it infringes on the freedom of expression.

The President also signed the Labour Ammendment Act which removes the clause allowing termination of job contracts on notice, grants employed women three months paid maternity leave for each pregnancy, removing the one-year qualifying period and the limit of three terms of paid maternity leave.