By Dr Masimba Mavaza | The late hon. Alum Mpofu made the last everlasting words the last thing before he died. The last thing he did before he died was to propose a bill that it is called the Zimbabwe Patriot Bill, which amongst other things, aims to criminalise and prescribe stiff punishment for citizens who “campaign against” national interests. According to the late hon. Mpofu , the Bill will also criminalise the peddling of “falsehoods” which undermine Zimbabwe’s national interests. The proposed law will permit government to prohibit any private communications between citizens and officials of foreign governments.
Govt has said that the proposed law is necessary to “deal” with citizens who propagate negative information to foreign governments, which undermine the Government of Zimbabwe’s efforts to attract foreign direct investment..
Comrade Alum Mpofu believed that patriotism is love for and loyalty to one’s own country, which is expressed in various ways. In certain circumstances, to be patriotic means that one has to be critical of their own government or even campaign against the government, especially when the government’s policies undermine national interests. In terms of the Constitution of Zimbabwe, democracy, peace and respect for human rights and the rule of law are amongst Zimbabwe’s national interests.
If the government becomes itself a problem patriots must confront it and use the systems available.
On the 2nd March 2021 the honourable Alum Mhofu Mpofu was moved by the love of his country. The last thing he did in parliament was an act of a hero. His death will Resonate with his motion. after the opening preliminaries, the House adopted a motion by the Leader of Government Business and Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Hon Ziyambi Ziyambi, for a substantial departure from the Order Paper.
This effectively superseded urgent Bills and other important Government business, to allow Hon Alum Mpofu, ZANU PF MP for Mberengwa South, seconded by Hon Togarepi [ZANU PF Chief Whip], to present a motion:
Hon Mpofu moved the motion:
“That this House:
COGNISANT that Zimbabwe’s image and national reputation are critical factors in attracting foreign investment;
CONCERNED that the negative portrayal of the country’s image and reputation has an adjverse and crippling impact on the country’s economic prospects especially on tourism, investment, and the welfare of the vulnerable such as youths, women and the disabled;
ENCOURAGED that other jurisdictions, recognising the need to preserve their image and soft power in a competitive global village, have enacted laws that bar their citizens from engaging in unpatriotic activities and communication intended to denigrate the integrity of their homeland;
BUOYED by the fact that the overwhelming majority of Zimbabweans are focused on building the positive image of the country as a reforming, open, peaceful, and democratic country that is attractive to investment;
NOW THEREFORE, call upon this august House to enact a law that:
a) recognises and celebrates efforts made by Zimbabwean citizens at home and abroad to promote the country’s positive image and brand; and
b) prohibits any Zimbabwean citizen from wilfully communicating messages intended to harm the image and reputation of the country on international platforms or engaging with foreign countries with the intention of communicating messages intended to harm the country’s positive image and/or to under its integrity and reputation.”
PROMOTION OF THE COUNTRY’S POSITIVE IMAGE AND BRAND”
The ensuing debate on this motion lasted most of the sitting, which only ended at 6.45 pm. In his lengthy presentation Hon Mpofu emphasised why Zimbabwe needs a good reputation in order to re-engage with the rest of the world,
In concluding Hon Mpofu summoned his delivering learning skills and posed hypothetical but thought provoking questions.
” …what do we do when your members of the team, when they score goals, when Knowledge Musona scores goals and Nakamba scores goals, it behooves all of us to stand up and celebrate. What should we do when team players or those people who are supposed to be team players stand up and score own goals, what in that circumstance should we do?
I rest my case.”
This was a serious insight and reflection of the love Mpofu had fo his country.
It was the day of the holy people the Mhofus of the parliament. Another Mhofu cde Togarepi seconded the motion and clarified the issues.
” … the imposition of sanctions by the United States, European Union, Canada, Australia et cetera was at the behest of our people. The imposition of sanctions by these countries was as a result of lobbying by certain individuals. Some deliberately went to these countries to ask for the people of Zimbabwe to be killed by way of denying us access to health, in other words you are saying we should die. These are citizens of Zimbabwe, what are we doing as a country to ensure that such people pay for exposing the people of Zimbabwe, we need to do something and it should be done now.”
He went on to refer to:
” …civic organisations that in their activities deviate from their core business and start advancing activities that destabilise the people of Zimbabwe … people come to this country, they tell us that they are social welfare organisations yet they have political agendas … if you have campaigned against Zimbabwe, the law should actually bar you from getting into any public office because you will have killed the people that you want to look after.”
……
“If you attack the leader of this country that has an effect when that leader goes out there to source business for this country. Nobody wants to do business with a person who from his country is called so many names. So it is very important that the media, politicians, business people and all citizens of this country understand that they are people of Zimbabwe first before their political and business interests. We are one and it is a law that we can put down today in this House on this land that will defend the interest of Zimbabwe.
The debate went through a vibrant discussion with opposition MPs opposing it as usual.
Nobody ever imagined that on that day when Honourable Alum Mpofu stepped out of the Honourable house that was his last. Nobody ever imagined that the light the honourable Mpofu had ignited in that house will become a raging flame which will give light and warmth to the patriots of the wonderful nation of Zimbabwe.
When cde Mpofu breathed his last he was very sure that the nation will be protected if the Patriotic Bill is to sail through.
This is fast forwarded bill originally revealed by Information minister Monica Mutsvangwa on 4 August, 2020 in her 27th Post Cabinet Press Briefing. At that point, it was reported that the proposed Patriot Bill was recommended to Cabinet by the National Peace and Reconciliation Commission (NPRC), in its 2018 and 2019 annual reports. It was highlighted that the NPRC had recommended that “campaigning against one’s country” should be legislated at law and “criminalised”.
This understanding is in line with several countries who have their own laws to protect the image of their countries. The rationale is that you must not create a hole in the boat you are a passenger.
The Patriot bill does not seek people to respect the government but not to demonise your country.
Contrary to what the opposition is saying the bill is not to protect the ruling party but it is meant to protect the country. Freedom of speech does not mean freedom to destroy.
Zimbabwe is fragile and it must be handled with care. It is strange that the opposition goes on to mislead people about this bill. As they have.
The bill is not created as a political tool between two opposing political ideologies,it is a nationalistic considerations which are meant to protect the whole nation. In this light, the “Patriot bill is the pride of the nation.
Cde Alum Mpofu passed on but he left us a task a job to do. In any way you can protect your country.
Zimbabwe needs you the question you need to ask yourself is What can I do for my country not what my country can do for me.
You can not celebrate when your neighbour buys your house. It is a foolish man who destroys his house to please the neighbours.
If the opposition has nothing to hide why are they worried about the Patriot bill.
As Alum Mpofu rests with his forefathers he trusted the future of this country in your hands.
This bill was his last and this is you chance to defend your country.
Many heroes died for this country and the best you can do is to protect their legacy. Protect the legacy of your country. Zimbabwe is the only country we can call ours.