Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Amendment Bill - H.B. 15, 2022 - a.k.a. the Patriots Bill

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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

16/05/23

: Bill’s Second Reading (First appearance on order paper)

16/05/23

: Minister’s Second reading speech

30/05/23

: Parliamentary Portfolio Committee Report link

30/05/23

: Minister’s response to report and debate

30/05/23

: Second Reading motion approved

31/05/23

: Committee Stage

31/05/23

: Amendments made and sent to PLC

01/06/23

: PLC issued a non-adverse report on the amendments

01/06/23

: Third Reading

01/06/23

: Bill transmitted to Senate

07/06/23

: Minister’s Second reading Speech

07/06/23

: Second reading motion approved

07/03/23

: Committee Stage

07/03/23

: Third reading motion approved

07/03/23

: Bill passed by both Houses as amended

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.

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