However, there is often some political leeway given to the Head of State. It emerged from the history of feudal States whose Head of State was often a monarch. To protect this sovereignty, it was a crime to insult the Head of State. Mr Hoffman was immediately arrested and charged with the offence of showing contempt to the office of the Head of State. That is, public criticism of the Head of State or his family is an express offence.

Source: Daily Nation March 16, 2019 21:56 UTC