Zimbabwe’s ruling ZANU-PF party is pushing a motion to entrench “patriotism” by criminalizing dissent, deepening fears of authoritarian overreach. Building on the controversial Patriotic Act of 2023, the motion proposes incorporating patriotic education into the curriculum and establishing a national ideology. It also proposes harsh penalties for acts deemed critical of the state, ranging from loss of citizenship to life imprisonment. While the government claims that the motion is to safeguard national interests, critics argue it’s a blatant attempt to silence opposition and shrink democratic space. Human rights groups and opposition lawmakers say patriotism can’t be legislated, and that true loyalty lies in holding power to account. Meanwhile, calls are growing for the abolition of colonial legacy laws, some of which have been used to prosecute government critics.
DW
