Five war veterans leaders- Douglas Mahiya, Francis Nhando, Victor Matemadanda, Headman Moyo and Hoyini Samuel Bhila – have denied issuing a communiqué that denigrated President Robert Mugabe but at the same time said they saw nothing wrong with it.
According to The Herald, their lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa argued yesterday: “Even if the accused had in fact crafted and disseminated the document, which they deny, there would be nothing wrong with this.
“It would be exercising the right they have, to demand the enforcement of constitutionally guaranteed rights such as freedom of expression.
“The fact that those in power might not like messages communicated in the document does not in any way criminalise the document.”
Mtetwa went on: “The statement falls within the realm of political rights enjoyed in terms of Section 67 (2) (d) of the Constitution.
“It is not an offence to criticise the Government of the day (and) spelling out where the President and his Cabinet have failed. It is certainly not an offence to criticise the leadership of the President of Zanu-PF.”
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