SW Radio Africa news - The Independent Voice of Zimbabwe
Calls continue to grow for a reform of Zimbabwe’s insult laws to be implemented before elections are held, amid concern that the laws will be abused to stifle any dissent.
The issue has been back in the spotlight this week with the trial of a Chiredzi man, Regis Kandawasvika, who was arrested and detained for almost a month last October after he allegedly struck a picture of Robert Mugabe.
According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights, Kandawasvika was in a bar and got involved in an argument about political affiliation with a security guard. It is understood that he hit the portrait of Mugabe in frustration because he had been unsuccessful in finding a job.
Kandawasvika was charged with contravening the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act after he allegedly held Mugabe accountable for not being able to find work.
Kandawasvika reportedly said: “I am suffering because of the ruling of this old man Cde Robert Mugabe. I have six “O” level subjects but I have no job. I don’t want to see this old man. This time he is going one way.”
After making these comments, State prosecutors claim that Kandawasvika picked up bottle tops from the floor and threw them at Mugabe’s portrait, before hitting the picture with a pool cue.
He was eventually released almost a month later on bail and his trial began at the Chiredzi Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
His case is one of almost 70 that have involved Zimbabwean citizens being charged using the insult laws in the past three years, and there is serious concern this number will increase ahead of elections.
Thabani Nyoni, the spokesperson for the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition, told SW Radio Africa that without a reform of repressive legislation, the law will be “selectively applied to crackdown of people.”
“These cases are a reflection of a number of issues which also reflect the primitivity of our politics. The state is in fear of its citizens and it is using the rule by law to restrict freedom of speech and expression,” Nyoni said.
He reiterated that a reform of such laws was critical before the elections are held, if the polls are to be credible.
“What is failing us though is insufficient political will to make this happen… so as elections near we are concerned of a state crackdown increasing,” Nyoni said.
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