Zimbabwe’s government has adopted a patriotism law to stifle dissenting voices.  

The country’s lower house had passed the bill – but the opposition described it as a “draconian” attempt to clamp down on dissenters ahead of the national elections slated for August 23, 2023. 

The bill criminalises acts that damage “the sovereignty and national interest” of the southern African country.

With its adoption, violators risk up to 20 years in prison.

The law was approved a few hours after the government announced the nationwide elections.

Hopewell Chin’ono, Zimbabwe’s prominent journalist and activist, described the development as a sad day in the country considering the approval of the bill by the government. 

“Free speech is now dead,” Mr Chin’ono stated on Twitter.

Joseph Chinotimba, a lawmaker from the ruling ZANU-PF, said the law would encourage Zimbabweans to be “patriotic.”

“This bill is not meant to curtail the existence of political parties, but it is there to encourage the people of Zimbabwe to love their country and stop denouncing it,” Mr Chinotimba claimed. 

However, opposition figures consider the bill as contentious.

“Let history be known that I was not part of this commotion and circus,” opposition lawmaker Temba Mliswa told parliament before getting kicked out.

The Senate has yet to consider the bill.