Latest news with #Zimbabwean
DW
4 hours ago
- Politics
- DW
Zimbabwe: Can patriotism be legislated? – DW – 07/22/2025
The ruling Zanu-PF party appears determined to further criminalize dissent in Zimbabwe. Its lawmakers are seen to be trying to entrench legislation that can be used to target those who flag the government's shortcomings. Lawmakers from the ruling ZANU-PF party in Zimbabwe are moving a motion to further criminalize government critics. They're advocating for a comprehensive strategy to promote patriotism and national identity. Proposed measures include formalizing a national ideology, establishing a national institute of ideology and integrating "patriotic" education into the curriculum. The motion comes on top of the contested Patriotic Act of 2023, which was seen to effectively closed the door on dissent In Zimbabwe. It makes provision for criticism issues such as provision of health care, basic services and accountability to be judged criminal. The government dismissed criticism, saying the legislation was necessary to hold accountable individuals who threaten "national interests." It said the legislation was modeled on the Logan Act in the US, which bars citizens from engaging in certain unauthorized communications with foreign governments. In Zimbabwe, violations could result in life imprisonment and death, termination of citizenship, suspension from voting or holding public office. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video In a recent parliamentary debate, ZANU-PF MP Ophious Murambiwa suggested that it should be criminal to speak "evil" about Zimbabwe. "The most important issue is to love our country, let us praise our country in all circumstances, whether in good or bad times, during the night or day," Murambiwa said. The motion has prompted opposition lawmakers and human rights groups to push back harder. "Patriotism is not blind loyalty. It is not empty slogans. True patriots question injustice, challenge corruption and demand systems that serve people not a selected few," Prosper Mutseyami, an opposition MP, said. "Our patriotism must ignite participation, ensuring that every Zimbabwean plays an active role in shaping the future." Human rights activists say its another attempt to silence dissent. "You cannot necessarily legislate patriotism," Nigel Nyamutumbu, the Media Alliance of Zimbabwe programs manager, told DW. "It is a concept that can naturally clamp down on the requisite freedoms. Patriotism is not a legal concept but rather a political nationalist ideology." Activists have in the past been accused of treason and unpatriotic behavior for expressing concerns over human rights abuses, corruption, and governance in Zimbabwe. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Citizens have expressed concern over what they fear are attempts to enforce a one-party state. ZANU-PF, with its absolute majority in parliament, is seen to be abusing its authority and violating the constitution. "As parliamentarians we are supposed to uphold the constitution," Gladys Hlatshwayo an opposition MP told DW. "Section 119 of the constitution demands that parliament protects the constitution and democratic governance." To play this audio please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 audio In June 2025, Zimbabwe's High Court struck down sections of the Patriotic court ruled that the drastic penalties prescribed by the Patriotic Act infringed on various sections of the country's constitution. Several civic organizations and a private citizens had petitioned the court, arguing that the legislation was overly broad and vague had high potential for abuse and misuse. "The most patriotic people are those who hold their government to account. A government must not be seen as the most dangerous institution," Eric Chisora, a political analyst, told DW. "Whatever they [ZANU-PF lawmakers] are doing is unreasonable and irrational. Citizens' rights must be protected." Political and civic rights activists are calling for the repeal of colonial legacy laws which they say are retrogressive. Laws such as the Criminal Law Codification and Reform Act, with provisions have been used to incriminate government critics, date back to Zimbabwe's pre-independence era when they were used to suppress Black majority rule. The activists are concerned over the shrinking of democratic space under Emmerson Mnangagwa, Zimbabwe's president since 2018. "We are now living in a country where there is no freedom of expression due to the number of pieces of legislation being passed by the ZANU-PF regime," Blessing Vava, executive director of the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, told DW. "When you see a government passing repressive laws, just know that it is not a popular government. Zimbabweans must fight to defend the constitution."
The South African
15 hours ago
- Health
- The South African
You're on your own, Zim minister tells countrymen needing healthcare in South Africa
With public hospitals in South Africa reportedly turning away foreign nationals, many Zimbabweans needing healthcare in SA hoped their government might intervene. But Zimbabwe's Minister of Justice, Ziyambi Ziyambi, has made it clear that won't happen. A member of Parliament (MP) in Zimbabwe asked him about the government's plans to help citizens blocked from South African hospitals. 'They are being denied health services,' the MP argued. 'What is the government doing to ensure Zimbabwean citizens in South Africa can access healthcare? That's the answer we want…' But Ziyambi's response left little room for hope. He stated bluntly that the Zimbabwean government's limited budget could barely sustain those within its borders, let alone those who had emigrated. 'We can barely afford to help those in Zimbabwe,' he responded. Ziyambi said his government could not look for people outside the country to assist them. He insisted that Zimbabweans abroad left of their own will, mostly for work, and must now follow the laws and systems of their host countries. 'Even if a South African is in Zimbabwe, their government doesn't fund their treatment here.' Groups such as Operation Dudula have allegedly been at the forefront of mobilising citizens to block illegal foreigners in hospitals. They argue that South Africans should be put first. The groups also say that the immigrants should pay for the services they access. Last week, Health MEC Nkomo-Ralehoko told TV news channel Newzroom Afrika that it was painful that people are being blocked from accessing healthcare services, and she did not agree with it. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa suspends Gauteng prosecuting head Andrew Chauke
Ramaphosa asked Chauke to provide reasons why he should not be suspended. President Cyril Ramaphosa has suspended South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions Andrew Chauke with immediate effect pending an inquiry into his fitness to hold office. On Monday night, the Presidency said Ramaphosa took the decision in terms of section 14(3) read with 12(6)(a) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act. Reasons 'Having asked Advocate Chauke to provide reasons why he should not be suspended, President Ramaphosa has decided suspension is the correct course of action pending an inquiry,' said Ramphosa's spokesperson Vincent Magwenya. 'President Ramaphosa has informed Advocate Chauke of his decision in writing and indicated that the President and the public would benefit from an independent assessment of issues that require elucidation and on which there are disputes of fact'. ALSO READ: Police minister Mchunu 'now under criminal investigation' Accusations Magwenya said Ramaphosa believes Chauke's 'continued tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions – while facing serious accusations – would negatively affect the reputation of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) as a whole.' 'President Ramaphosa is also concerned that Adv Chauke will not be able to fulfil his functions optimally while facing an inquiry'. Shamilla Batohi The Citizen previously reported that National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) boss Shamila Batohi told Chauke that she was writing to Ramaphosa after demanding answers from Chauke, on various decisions he made, or allegedly made, so that she could decide what to do about it, and him. Batohi questioned Chauke on his apparent initial reluctance to prosecute former president Jacob Zuma's son Duduzane for culpable homicide despite a magistrate having found there was prima facie evidence that Duduzane may have been negligent when losing control of his Porsche and crashing into a taxi in 2014. A Zimbabwean woman died and three people were left injured. Batohi also questioned Chauke on why former police crime intelligence head Richard Mdluli was not prosecuted on a murder charge related to the 1999 shooting death of Oupa Ramogibe, who had an affair with Mdluli's customary wife. NOW READ: Ramaphosa fires Nobuhle Nkabane, appoints new higher education minister
Powys County Times
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Powys County Times
Blair's fury with Chirac over Mugabe summit invite
Papers released by the National Archives show Mr Blair erupted with anger when he learned Mr Chirac was insisting the Zimbabwean president should be allowed to attend an EU-Africa summit due to be held in 2003. 'But this is the opposite of what he said to me,' he scrawled in a handwritten note after No 10 officials told him Mr Chirac feared South African president Thabo Mbeki would stay away from the gathering unless Mr Mugabe was invited. Tony Blair wanted to be 'pretty fierce' with president Robert Mugabe (PA) 'Ultimately if France wants to take the heat on this they can and probably they are using it to damage the UK's standing in Africa in the belief (mistaken) that Mugabe retains credibility. 'But we should be seen to do all we can to protest.' The row came as Zimbabwe was caught up in a worsening spiral of violence and economic collapse after Mr Mugabe instigated a violent campaign to drive the country's remaining white farmers from their lands. Mr Blair's Labour government was at the forefront of international efforts to pressurise Mr Mugabe to end the chaos, implement democratic reforms and restore the rule of law. The UK's intervention was, however, deeply resented by Mr Mugabe who argued that – as the former colonial power – Britain should be paying reparations to his country. As the situation worsened Mr Blair noted that they needed to be 'pretty fierce on Mugabe' if they were to make any progress. Nelson Mandela told Tony Blair that Mr Mugabe should be treated with respect (Matthew Fearn/PA) He was, however, warned by South Africa's former president Nelson Mandela that – as a veteran of Africa's struggles for liberation from colonial rule – Mr Mugabe still needed to be treated with respect. 'Despite the recent turmoil in Zimbabwe we must not forget that President Mugabe is a statesman who has made a major contribution not only to Zimbabwe's independence but to the liberation of southern Africa,' he wrote in a letter to the prime minister. 'He deserves our good will, support and advice. As friends we should be able to discuss the issue of land redistribution, the rule of law and violence frankly and constructively with him.' Meanwhile, efforts to foster better Anglo-French co-operation on Africa were hampered by a deep personal antipathy between Mr Chirac and Britain's international development secretary Clare Short. Sir John Holmes, Britain's ambassador to Paris, said Mr Chirac had taken him aside to complain that she was 'viscerally anti-French and 'insupportable''. He contrasted her attitude with the good working relationship French foreign minister Hubert Vedrine had enjoyed with his British counterpart Jack Straw and before him Robin Cook. 'Vedrine and Cook had worked well together, and Vedrine and Straw were continuing in the same vein. But Ms Short was impossible,' Sir John reported the French president as saying. 'He had not liked to raise this with the prime minister because they always had lots of other things to talk about, but we needed to know the position. In typical Chirac fashion, he laboured the point for several minutes.' When Sir John assured him that Ms Short's views had been 'transformed' in the light of a recent trip to the region by Mr Vedrine, the French president replied 'God be praised'.
South Wales Guardian
18 hours ago
- Politics
- South Wales Guardian
Blair's fury with Chirac over Mugabe summit invite
Papers released by the National Archives show Mr Blair erupted with anger when he learned Mr Chirac was insisting the Zimbabwean president should be allowed to attend an EU-Africa summit due to be held in 2003. 'But this is the opposite of what he said to me,' he scrawled in a handwritten note after No 10 officials told him Mr Chirac feared South African president Thabo Mbeki would stay away from the gathering unless Mr Mugabe was invited. 'Ultimately if France wants to take the heat on this they can and probably they are using it to damage the UK's standing in Africa in the belief (mistaken) that Mugabe retains credibility. 'But we should be seen to do all we can to protest.' The row came as Zimbabwe was caught up in a worsening spiral of violence and economic collapse after Mr Mugabe instigated a violent campaign to drive the country's remaining white farmers from their lands. Mr Blair's Labour government was at the forefront of international efforts to pressurise Mr Mugabe to end the chaos, implement democratic reforms and restore the rule of law. The UK's intervention was, however, deeply resented by Mr Mugabe who argued that – as the former colonial power – Britain should be paying reparations to his country. As the situation worsened Mr Blair noted that they needed to be 'pretty fierce on Mugabe' if they were to make any progress. He was, however, warned by South Africa's former president Nelson Mandela that – as a veteran of Africa's struggles for liberation from colonial rule – Mr Mugabe still needed to be treated with respect. 'Despite the recent turmoil in Zimbabwe we must not forget that President Mugabe is a statesman who has made a major contribution not only to Zimbabwe's independence but to the liberation of southern Africa,' he wrote in a letter to the prime minister. 'He deserves our good will, support and advice. As friends we should be able to discuss the issue of land redistribution, the rule of law and violence frankly and constructively with him.' Meanwhile, efforts to foster better Anglo-French co-operation on Africa were hampered by a deep personal antipathy between Mr Chirac and Britain's international development secretary Clare Short. Sir John Holmes, Britain's ambassador to Paris, said Mr Chirac had taken him aside to complain that she was 'viscerally anti-French and 'insupportable''. He contrasted her attitude with the good working relationship French foreign minister Hubert Vedrine had enjoyed with his British counterpart Jack Straw and before him Robin Cook. 'Vedrine and Cook had worked well together, and Vedrine and Straw were continuing in the same vein. But Ms Short was impossible,' Sir John reported the French president as saying. 'He had not liked to raise this with the prime minister because they always had lots of other things to talk about, but we needed to know the position. In typical Chirac fashion, he laboured the point for several minutes.' When Sir John assured him that Ms Short's views had been 'transformed' in the light of a recent trip to the region by Mr Vedrine, the French president replied 'God be praised'.
