Rights groups concerned over Zimbabwe police comments on free speech

Human rights groups said on Tuesday that comments made by Zimbabwe's Republic Police (ZRP) to arrest people for criticizing government officials threatens the country's freedom of expression and public perception.

Police said in a statement they warned 'individuals and groups from committing crime through cyberbullying of government officials' [File: Philimon Bulawayo/Reuters]

ZRP warned in a tweet on Monday that groups and individuals taking part in what the police describe as "cyber-bullying of Government officials who will be performing their Constitutional and lawful obligations in terms of service delivery to Zimbabweans," will be dealt with. "The Police is aware that a certain group of suspects who know that their arrest is imminent is fingered and issuing threats and harassing some officials."

A number of the so-called cyber-bullying is public criticism of the government's continuous mismanagement of Zimbabwe's already crippling economy which President Emmerson Mnangagwa claims to be the doing of Western sanctions.

By: Niza Nondo