The Sunday News
Mthabisi Tshuma, Sunday News Correspondent
NEWLY appointed Deputy Minister of Information Communication Technology (ICT), Postal and Courier Services Cde Dingimuzi Phuti has said the Cyber Crime, Security and Data Protection Bill which will be tabled in Parliament in the coming weeks seeks to protect people from attacks in the name of democracy.
The Bill seeks to deal, among other issues with fake news, combat cyber-crime and increase cyber security in order to build confidence and trust in the secure use of information communication technologies.
In a telephone interview, Deputy Minister Phuti said the ministry will continue championing ICT literacy in the country as they forge into the regional technology integration.
“As the Cyber Security Bill was approved by the Cabinet, it is set to be tabled in Parliament for debate in the coming months.
“With the advancement of technology worldwide, there is a need to protect human life.
“The Bill will help in dealing with cyberbullying and cyber-crimes which are on the rise as we have evidenced in recent days, the issue of card cloning.
“People are being harassed on social networks like Facebook and Twitter on the pretext of democracy and these have had bad consequences on individuals and as a nation which protects its people, we hope the bill will be passed into a law.”
During a cyber security conference held in Bulawayo last week, former ICT, Postal and Courier Services Minister, Kazembe Kazembe, said the creation of a secure digital environment or the sustenance of business investments and consumer protection requires a collaboration from the public and private sector.
Government is already championing the “Smart Zimbabwe 2030 Master Plan” aimed at the digitalisation of the entire economy and society at large.
The development of the Master Plan is in progress with the initial review report set to be presented to a relevant Cabinet committee soon.
Deputy Minister Phuti said the ministry will work flat out in ensuring that the rural populace’s low network and broad transmission issues are dealt with.
“As a ministry we will prioritise the issue of Internet connectivity countrywide as in this era it plays a pivotal role in a country’s economy as trade and networking worldwide can take place,” said Deputy Minister Phuti.
As one of the youthful faces in Goverment, Cde Phuti who is also Bulilima West MP said he will learn through the ICT world to ensure Vision 2030 is achieved given the increasing importance of electronics, telecommunications and ICT industry.
The ministry recently held a month-long National Cyber Security Awareness programme, which ran under the theme, “Safe Surfing”.
Major objectives were to promote online security and safety, cultivate a cyber-security culture among Internet stakeholders and unlock new opportunities for cyber security collaboration and information sharing.
Once passed into law, the Bill is expected to combat cyber crime and increase cyber security while complementing the SMART Zimbabwe 2030 initiative.
Safeguarding the national critical infrastructure, child online safety, cyber security in the workplace and emerging technologies were the cornerstone themes of the 2019 awareness month.
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