via Technophobic officials in govt – The Zimbabwean 11/12/2015
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information and Communication Technology, Nelson Chamisa on Thursday revealed that government and the Executive was full of technophobic officials and this had led to implementation of restrictive laws to regulate citizens activities on the use of technology.
Chamisa, who is also the MDC-T Legislator for Kuwadzana made the remarks at an Online Indaba organised by the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe Chapter in the capital.
He said that because of their fear of technology, government officials were in support of restrictive legislation on Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) as a way of safeguarding their personal security while pretending to be in favour of national security.
“We have colleagues in government who are technophobic because of personal security concerns. You will find that laws that govern ICTs in Zimbabwe are being administered nicodemously because they give the latitude to government players to do things that are not supposed to be done.
“We have a digital era but we have an analogue mindset,” said Chamisa.
Zimbabwean law permits state security agents to monitor citizens’ phone calls, texts and emails.
Authorities are allowed to order broadband providers, landline and mobile phone companies to save the information for up to five years.
Chamisa bemoaned that government’s strict regulation on ICTs had compromised peoples’ right to privacy.
Speaking at the same event, Internet Rights lawyer, Arthur Gwagwa said that cyber security in Zimbabwe was being interpreted to mean State and national security.
“Of course, State security is important but we also have to take into account the security of the individual yet we are witnessing cases where the State can invade into our privacy and do all other things that breach citizens’ right to privacy,” said Gwagwa.
He said that restrictive laws on the use of ICTs are usually applied in countries experiencing political upheavals as politicians try to secure their offices.
He expressed fear that the restrictive laws could also be extended to the media fraternity.
“In countries experiencing political challenges, you will find out that these laws end up being used for political ends. I even heard the President (Robert Mugabe) saying that the government would be clamping down on irresponsible journalists and that creates a challenge as well,” said Gwagwa.
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