The Zimbabwean government is to rewrite a controversial Bill that would allow the state to eavesdrop on private phone conversations and monitor faxes and e-mails, officials said on Monday.
The Interception of Communications Bill has come under a barrage of criticism since it was published in May but a government official and a leading lawmaker confirmed that it is now being amended.
”The minister of transport and communications and Attorney General have agreed that a rewritten document that takes into account amendments as suggested by the parliamentary legal committee be submitted,” said opposition MP Welshman Ncube, who chairs the committee.
”The document has not been withdrawn as such but it has to take into account the suggested amendments.”
Ncube said the amendments are too many to list off the cuff.
George Mlilo, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Transport and Communications, confirmed the legislation is being amended.
”I am not sure when the amendments will be completed,” he said. ”The document is still going through various committee stages in Parliament.”
In August, rights groups and internet service providers urged lawmakers to reject the Bill, arguing it contravened fundamental rights and would drag the country back into the past if passed into law.
The proposed legislation would allow for the establishment of an intelligence centre ”to monitor and intercept certain communications” from a variety of sources.
It would also empower the communications minister to issue a warrant for the interception of communication between individuals or organisations while having the power to hear appeals against such interceptions.
Under the proposed law, telecommunication service providers would be compelled to install devices to enable interception of phone conversations, faxes and e-mails. — Sapa-AFP