law will see the cash-strapped government further establishing a communications centre to monitor mobile and telephones faxes and emails.
“Zimbabwe had already given itself one of the world’s most repressive legislative arsenals as regards press freedom. Now all forms of communication have been placed under surveillance,” the Paris-based body said in a statement.
“RSF regrets that President Robert Mugabe finally signed the Interception of Communications Act into law on 3 August. The promulgation of this law is further evidence of Mugabe’s desire to keep news and information under close control.”
The law will also compel Internet service providers to install equipment to facilitate interception “at all times or when so required” and ensure that its equipment allows full-time monitoring of communications.
The bill comes a few months before Mugabe faces the biggest threat to his 27-year hold on power.
Political analysts are already predicting that he will use the so called communication centre to falsify unfounded allegations that opposition parties are intent on removing him through illegitimate means.
This year alone over 10 journalists have been subjected to state sponsored violence which left Edward Chikomba a former Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation cameraman dead. – Trust Matsilele
Post published in: News