(MISA/IFEX) – The government of Zimbabwe has approved the Public Order and Security Bill, which will replace the Law and Order Maintenance Act (LOMA). However, the new bill has draconian provisions that would curtail the operations of the media and the free flow of information. According to a 21 November 2001 report in “The Herald”, […]
(MISA/IFEX) – The government of Zimbabwe has approved the Public Order and Security Bill, which will replace the Law and Order Maintenance Act (LOMA). However, the new bill has draconian provisions that would curtail the operations of the media and the free flow of information.
According to a 21 November 2001 report in “The Herald”, the Public Order and Security Bill is meant to deal with acts of terrorism, treason, banditry, sabotage, insurgency, and subversion. The bill says that the publishing or communication of false statements, prejudicial to the state, or that incite public disorder, violence, affect the defence and economic interests of the country, undermine public confidence in security forces, or disrupt or interfere with an essential service, is an offence. Those found guilty of the offence will be fined up to Z$100,000 (US$1,876 at the official rate), or jailed for five years, or both.
The bill also makes it an offence to undermine the authority of the president by making public statements or publishing in print and electronic media statements that engender hostility towards the president. It is also a crime to make abusive, obscene or false statements against the president. Those convicted of these offences face a fine of up to Z$20,000 (US$375 at the official rate) or imprisonment not exceeding one year. Under the bill, it is illegal to disturb the peace, security and order of the public and invade the rights of other people.
The bill also makes public gatherings to conduct riots, or create disorder or intolerance illegal. Performing acts, uttering words, distributing or displaying any writing, sign or any other visible representation that is obscene, threatening, abusive, insulting or intended to provoke a breach of peace is illegal. Senior police officers will be the regulatory authorities of the bill when it becomes law and will have powers to control public gatherings and crowds whenever it reasonable to do so.
The bill comes at a time when the government is drafting another media bill, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Bill (see IFEX alerts of 29 October, 2 August, 25 July, 26 June, 9 April and 13 March 2001). The two bills are largely seen impacting negatively on the operations of the media. Most of the restrictive provisions mentioned above are not qualified and mostly generalised.
