In Zimbabwe, the ruling Zanu-PF party legalists are proceeding to further criminalization of government critics. They are advocating a comprehensive strategy to promote patriotism and national identity. Proposed Measures include formal form of national ideology, establishing a national ideology and integrating “patriotism” education in the curriculum.
The proposal falls at the top of the 2023 competition patriotic act, which was seen to close the door effectively on dissatisfaction in Zimbabwe. It discovers the issues of criticism as a provision of health care, basic services and accountability that is criminally justice.
The government dismissed criticism, saying that law was necessary to keep the accountable individuals threatening “national interests”. It said that the law was modeled on the Logan Act in the US, which prevents citizens from engaging in some unauthorized communications with foreign governments. In Zimbabwe, violations can result in life imprisonment and death, ending citizenship, suspension from voting or suspension of public position.
Another layer for oppressive law
In a recent parliamentary debate, Zanu-PF MP Office Murambiva suggested that speaking “evil” about Zimbabwe should be criminal.
Murambiva said, “The most important issue is to love our country, praise us in all the circumstances of our country, whether it is good or bad times, during the night or day, during the night or day,” said Murambiva.
The proposal has inspired opposition MPs and human rights groups to make hard push.
“Patriotism is not a blind loyalty. It is not an empty slogans. The question of true Patriot in justice challenges corruption and demand systems that do not serve people,” Prosper Matsemi said the opposition MP.
“Our patriotism should ignite participation, ensuring that each Zimbabwe plays an active role in shaping the future.”
Human rights activists say another attempt to silence disagreement.
“You can’t make a law of patriotism,” said Nigel Nyamutumbu, the media alliance of the Zimbabwe Program Manager. “This is a concept that can naturally climb the expected independence. Patriotism is not a legal concept, but a political nationalist ideology.”
In the past, activists have been accused of treason and unavoidable behavior to express human rights violations, corruption and concerns in Zimbabwe.
Misuse of parliament and constitution
Citizens have expressed concern that what they fear is that there is an attempt to implement each-a-sided state. Zanu-PF is seen with his absolute majority in Parliament, misusing its rights and violating the constitution.
“We are going to maintain the Constitution as a parliamentary,” Gladis Hlatsweo told DW. “Section 119 of the Constitution demands that Parliament protects the Constitution and democratic rule.”
In June 2025, the High Court of Zimbabwe killed classes of the patriotic act. The court has given strict punishment by the patriotic act violated on various sections of the constitution of the country.
Many civilian organizations and a private citizens filed a petition in the court, arguing that the law was widespread and unclear and had a high capacity of abuse and misuse.
Eric Chisora, a political analyst, said, “The most patriotic people are those who keep their government in mind. A government should not be the sea as the most dangerous institution.” “Whatever they are [ZANU-PF lawmakers] Are doing inappropriate and irrational. The rights of citizens should be protected. ,
Law reforms require
Political and civil rights activists are calling to cancel the colonial heritage laws that they say that they are retrograde. Laws discovered as Criminal Law Code and Reform Act, with commissions with bees used to reduce government critics, when they were used to suppress the black majority rule when they returned to the era of Zimbabwe’s pre-independence era.
Activists have been worried about the shrinking of Democratic Space under Zimbabwe’s President Eamson Mangagwa since 2018.
“We now live in a country where there is no freedom of expression due to the number of pieces of law being passed by Zanu-PF rule.”
“When you see a government passing the oppressive laws, just know that it is not a popular government. Zimbabwe should fight to protect the Constitution.”
Eddie Micah Junior contrary to this article.
Edited by: Benita van Esen
