<p><a href="https://www.okayafrica.com/ian-khama-zimbabwean-lives-matter/" target="_blank"><strong><em>READ: Former Botswana President Ian Khama Condemns Zimbabwean Government</em></strong></a></p><p>Zimbabwe's new law will be an amendment to the Criminal Law (Codification Reform) Act. The country's Information Minister, <strong>Monica Mutsvangwa</strong>, explained what the amendment will entail in a media briefing.</p><p><div class="preroll-video"></div><ora-player></ora-player></p><blockquote>"The amendments will criminalise the conduct of isolated citizens or groups, who for self-gain cooperate or connive with hostile foreign governments to inflict suffering on Zimbabwean citizens and to cause damage to national interests."</blockquote><p>Citizens will also be punished for planned anti-government protests that coincide with international events. Zimbabweans' rights of association have admittedly been violated by the recent amended law as it prevents <a href="https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/tea/rest-of-africa/zimbabwean-cabinet-approves-law-criminalising-protests-2724412" target="_blank">"cooperation with foreign governments"</a>. </p><p><a href="https://www.okayafrica.com/zimbabwe-pushes-for-patriot-bill/" target="_blank">Mnangagwa tabled the "Patriot Bill" at the beginning of October</a> following the release of journalist<strong> </strong><a href="https://www.okayafrica.com/prominent-zimbabwean-journalist-hopewell-chinono-arrested-by-authorities/" target="_blank"><strong>Hopewell Chin'ono</strong></a> and opposition leader, <strong>Jacob Ngarivhume</strong>. Their <a href="https://www.okayafrica.com/hopewell-chinono-jacob-ngarivhume-released-from-prison/" target="_blank">release came after mounting pressure from Zimbabweans and Africans as a collective</a> after the July 31st anti-government demonstrations which sparked the #ZimbabweanLivesMatter movement. This new law is <a href="https://thestreetjournal.org/2020/10/zimbabwe-cabinet-approves-law-criminalising-protests/" target="_blank">reportedly a lighter version of the "Patriot Bill"</a> but its message is nonetheless the same––Zimbabwe does not value the freedom of its people.</p><p><a href="https://www.okayafrica.com/zimbabweanlivesmatter-ausouth-africa/" target="_blank">While regional body SADC and AU </a>have remained silent at the blatant transgression of Zimbabweans' rights, international human rights agencies and <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/uk-statement-for-the-wto-trade-policy-review-of-zimbabwe" target="_blank">trade organisations have continued to condemn Mnangagwa</a>. In fact, the country has been under international trade sanctions by the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for a few years now but the government is seemingly only interested in protecting its own interests. Additionally, Zanu-PF acting spokesperson, <strong>Patrick Chinamasa</strong>, has accused MDC Alliance leader, <strong>Nelson Chamisa</strong>, and his deputy, <strong>Tendai Biti</strong>, of <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/10/ed-moves-to-muzzle-critics/" target="_blank">going to the United States to invite sanctions on the country.</a><a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2020/10/ed-moves-to-muzzle-critics/"></a></p><p><div class="dfp_atf-slot" data-not-loaded="true"></div><script type="text/javascript">
checkdfpScripts();
</script></p>
Keep reading...
Show less