Exiled former Information Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo has warned the Secretary of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Nick Mangwana that he faces legal action if he “continues to be partisan.”
Moyo was responding to Mangwana’ Twitter post which suggested that President Emmerson Mnangagwadeserves five more years in office. Mangwana tweeted:
Reasons for #FiveMoreYears are very clear. He needs to finish what he started.
Mangwana also attached a picture by newZWire, a local publication that reported on growth recorded by Innscor, the country’s biggest consumer goods producer.
In response, Moyo said Mangwana, who is a “civil servant,” was violating the Constitution of Zimbabwe by openly showing support for President Mnangagwa. He said:
SECRETARY @nickmangwana, as a civil servant, your outrageous partisan campaign for Mnangagwa’s 2023 cause is in breach of s200(2) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe (see attachment). You must withdraw your partisan campaign, cease and desist pronto; or face brutal court action!
Section 200 of the Zimbabwean Constitution which Mangwana is allegedly violating is on the Conduct of members of Civil Service. It reads in part:
200 Conduct of members of Civil Service
(1) Members of the Civil Service must act in accordance with this t Constitution and the law.
(2) No member of the Civil Service may obey an order that is manifestly illegal.
(3) No member of the Civil Service may, in the exercise of their functions—
(a) act in a partisan manner;
(b) further the interests of any political party or cause;
(c) prejudice the lawful interests of any political party or cause; or
(d) violate the fundamental rights or freedoms of any person.
(4) Members of the Civil Service must not be office-bearers of any political party.
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