posed to Mugabe’s Interception of Communications Bill, whose restrictive clauses have sparked angry protests here.
Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa, who is the leader of the House, indicated last week that the bill had been passed by the upper house of parliament and now awaits presidential assent.
Sources say MPs had indicated their disquiet over some provisions of the bill, but were whipped into line and forced to railroad the bill or face serious consequences.
There was widening speculation that Mugabe might bow to pressure and that the bill might be shelved.
Even among the President’s closest cronies, the bill is viewed as the worst of the repressive legislation passed ahead of 2008 joint presidential and general elections.
Said a ruling party MP speaking strictly on condition of anonymity: “There is serious concern about the constitutionality of several clauses of that bill. I don’t know what mukuru wants to achieve by passing such patently unconstitutional laws. We have expressed our reservations.”
If passed, the bill will give the state the authority to monitor the phones
and mail of anyone suspected of threatening national security or involvement
in criminal activities.
Opposition legislators have described the bill as despotic and say they will fight against it until it is shelved.
Kuwadzana MP Nelson Chamisa, who is also the MDC spokesman, told Parliament last week: “This law is about the interception of fundamental rights of our citizens and this house should refuse such frivolous and out rightly undemocratic laws. Most provisions are injurious and the law will be used as an arrow aimed against trade unions, civil society, media and political parties involved in genuine political engagements.”
The Parliamentary committee responsible for scrutinizing bills and making recommendations to the House of Assembly last year rejected the spying law as unconstitutional, forcing the Justice minister to postpone consideration while amendments were drafted.
MPs say despite amendments to the bill, it remained restrictive and differed little from the one they rejected last year.
Zimbabwe’s Communications minister, Chris Mushowe, fiercely defended the bill last week, giving an insight into the official thinking on the bill.
He said the bill was similar to anti-terror laws elsewhere such as in the UK, US and South Africa.
“These are countries which are regarded as the beacons of democracy,” he said.
Post published in: News