adminWanton suggestions have been made seeking to impugn the integrity of the Head of State and Government and Commander in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Robert Mugabe.
The recent dossier prepared by the Movement for Democratic Change party led by Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai, which was published in the Zimbabwe Independent newspaper March 1 to 7, 2013 ostensibly for presentation to the SADC and the international community is testimony to this assertion. The dossier is aimed at showing the alleged violent nature of Zanu-PF and partisanship of the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
Among a number of accusations made against Zanu-PF and its leadership, the dossier raises cases of persons allegedly arrested for insulting the President Mugabe. The MDC-T in its dossier suggests that citizens who have the audacity to insult the President should not be arrested or prosecuted.
According to the MDC-T, arresting such individuals is tantamount to political harassment and persecution by a biased police force. There is no country in the world that allows its citizens to insult its leaders. This does not only pertain to the President, but includes ordinary citizens. Insults must be distinguished from criticism using restrained language.
The scope of this article confines itself to insults or utterances aimed at demeaning the Head of State either in his personal or official capacity.
The MDC parties seem to harbour very strange ideologies that seek to promote disrespect among citizens. Surely, no serious party that is so desirous to form the next government can advocate for such moral decadence. The President deserves to be respected in both his personal and official capacity. Consequently, there are statutes that seek to protect not only the integrity of the President, but every citizen from denigration by the ill-mannered members of society.
In its wisdom, the legislature sought to protect the office of the Presidency by enacting laws that criminalise such irresponsible behavior. The same laws empower the police to arrest offenders and cause their prosecution. Individual members of society, political parties and their leadership have a duty to respect the laws of the land whilst the police have a constitutional mandate to enforce the law as it is.
Those who have the temerity of breaching the law by demeaning the esteem of the President should be prepared to face the full wrath of the law.
We need to be mindful of the need to protect the integrity of the Head of State and the judiciary. The nation can benefit in using restrained and respectful language. Where are our old-age values of ubuntu/unhu? When shall we realise that we are one people with a common identity and shared patriotism? Let us stop being mischievous and disrespectful to our President and national institutions.
In November 2012, one Stuart Rodger, a British citizen was rightfully charged for shouting at Prime Minister David Cameron. The story was even reported in an article that appeared on page 4 of The Standard November 4-10, 2012 under the heading: “Man sentenced for shouting at Cameron”.
Stuart Rodger earned himself 100 hours of community service for allegedly shouting ‘‘ . . . No public sector cuts’’ at David Cameron. Had this been in Zimbabwe, I have no doubt that the matter was going to make headlines and occupy front pages of the private press and be subject of a dossier by the MDC to SADC and the African Union, as is the case with their current dossier.
The British police and the courts did not condone the behaviour of Stuart Rodger. There is no doubt that his conduct was unbecoming and violated the laws of Britain. The British political parties did not compile a dossier for presentation to the European Union and United Nations complaining against their government for ‘persecuting’ Stuart Rodger. The MDC-T leaders need to mature and have a national outlook. How do they expect to be voted into power when they lack national values and exhibit such immaturity, disrespect and lawlessness?
The conviction of Stuart Rodger clearly indicates that:
- l There are no rights which are absolute the world over.
- l All rights are enjoyed with responsibility.
- l What is good for Britain may also be good for Zimbabwe.
- l Zimbabwe has similar laws with Britain.
- l Though some laws may not be liked by a certain section of the community; these laws are good for orderly governance.
It does not matter under which law Stuart Rodger was charged, but what is important is that he was charged for insulting the Head of the State. The law in question undoubtedly has all the ingredients of our own statutes.
Comments attributed to Professor Welshman Ncube that Zimbabweans would enter the Guinness Book of Records if they were to vote for an 89 year old President only serve to show how ridiculous and immature some of our politicians are. Leaders are not voted into power because of their ages, but the principles they stand for.
All of us are aging (including Professor Ncube). Going on a barrage of vitriol over the President’s age without anything meaningful to offer to the populace, will surely not win the MDC any votes.
l Rasputin Masamba is a political analyst.
Online Reporter