Police can confiscate radio sets that spew hate speech: Minister

others, Home Affairs Co-Minister Theresa Makone has said. She said the police acted within their powers when they confiscated radio receivers that had been brought into the country illegally. Minister Makone was speaking in the House of Assembly during a question and answer session.

 

Highfield East MP Simon Hove (MDC-T) had asked the minister whether it was permissible for police to confiscate personal radios and where they derived such powers.

Mr Hove also wanted to know why the radios were considered a security threat. “Police will confiscate radios that peddle hate speech,” she said.

“The radios are not the problem, but the peddling of hate speech, and the police will also confiscate illegally imported radios. The threat (to national security) is found when citizens are being set against each other.”

Mazowe Central MP Mr Leanard Mushonga (MDC-T) asked Minister Makone what she meant by hate speech.

“It is one that injures the dignity of others,” she said. “We find it both in electronic and print media in Zimbabwe. Honourable Mushonga is not a visitor to this country, he knows what it is and he hears it everyday, suffice to say that hate speech is derogatory and impinges on the good name of others, making a mockery of others.”

Mr Hove asked what would be the role of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority if police were to be allowed to confiscate illegally imported items.

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“Zimra has no arresting powers,” she said. “They are required to report to the police. Any illegally imported radio should be confiscated.”

Mr Mushonga asked Minister Makone whether or not the police were remitting fines they imposed to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

Minister Makone said all fines imposed by police were remitted to Treasury through the courts. She said the only money the police used were spot fines. Minister Makone said the ZRP was allowed to retain its spot fines at the height of the hyperinflation environment and that policy had not yet been revoked by Treasury.