Gazetted on 23rd December 2021
22/11/22 | : Cabinet approved principles |
23/12/22 | : Date of gazetting |
11/01/23 | : Veritas Commentary on the Bill [link] |
01/02/23 | : Bill introduced to the National Assembly |
01/02/23 | : First reading |
01/02/23 | : Bill referred to Parliamentary Legal Committee |
07/02/23 | : PLC issued a non-adverse report |
20-24/02/23 | : Public Hearings |
This Bill proposes to make four amendments to the Criminal Law Code not only:
1. to create a new crime of Wilfully injuring the sovereignty and national interest of Zimbabwe [hence the nickname "Patriots Bill" or "Patriot Bill"]
but also to:
2. to introduce mandatory minimum prison sentences for rape
3. to modify the definition of "dangerous drug" by excluding "industrial hemp" [in Chapter VII dealing with Crimes Involving Dangerous Drugs]
4. to restate with new wording the elements of the crime of Criminal abuse of duty as a public officer.
