Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. Zaka North Member of Parliament, Ophias Murambiwa (ZANU PF), has said Zimbabweans should not criticise the government solely for its failure to provide basic services such as healthcare.
Speaking recently in the National Assembly, Murambiwa proposed that Parliament should pass a law criminalising negative comments about the country, with offenders facing lengthy jail sentences. Said Murambiwa:
I am very amazed that there are some Hon. Members who debated and spoke, yet they cannot show their love for the country because hospitals do not have medication.
According to me, how can you say that you are not in love with your country when it lacks medication in hospitals?
That alone is not sufficient because it does not mean that tomorrow we are not going to have the medication.
The most important issue is to love our country, let us praise our country in all circumstances, whether in good or in bad times, during the night or during the day. Let us love our country.
I also suggest that this august House must come up with a law which states that those who speak evil of their country must face the full wrath of the law and then be jailed.
ZANU PF, which now holds a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, remains determined to advance legislation that would criminalise criticism of the government’s shortcomings, despite resistance from opposition parties.
Recently, ZANU PF MP Joseph Mapiki tabled a motion proposing the adoption of a National Ideology, currently under debate in Parliament, which he says would promote patriotism and reinforce a distinct Zimbabwean identity.
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