I Look Forward, One Day, To Receiving Good News From Zimbabwe
By Pejman Yousefzadeh Posted in Foreign Affairs — Comments (0) / Email this page » / Leave a comment »
Today, alas, will not be that day:
THE Suppression of Foreign and International Terrorism Bill and Interception of Communications Bill are now law after President Mugabe assented to the regulations.
In a Government Gazette published yesterday, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda said the President had given his assent to the two laws in terms of the Constitution.
"The following laws, which have been assented to by the President, are published in terms of Section 51 (5) of the Constitution of Zimbabwe: Suppression of Foreign and International Terrorism Act (Chapter 11:21) (No. 5 of 2007), Interception of Communications Act (Chapter 11:20) (No. 6 of 2007.)"
The Interception of Communication Act and Suppression of Foreign and International Terrorism Act passed through Parliament in June this year without amendments.
The Interception of Communications Act allows Government to monitor the Internet, mobile and fixed phones to sift for information it deems subversive or used for organised crime.
The Suppression of Foreign and International Terrorism Act seeks to punish people engaged in foreign or international terrorist activities or mercenaries.
The Interception of Communications Act allows certain communications to be intercepted or monitored in the course of their transmission through telecommunications or the postal service.
It proposes for the establishment of a Monitoring of Interception of Communications Centre that shall be the sole facility through which authorised interceptions shall be effected.
And all of these powers in the hands of Robert Mugabe and his cronies. My, what a cheery thought.