Service providers setting up spy equipment
Source Date: 29-08-2007

Mobile and Internet service providers (ISPs) have begun installing surveillance equipment, in compliance with the controversial Interception of Communications Act, the Zimbabwe Internet Access Providers (ZIAP) confirmed this week…

Industry sources say mobile phone companies have also begun importing the equipment necessary to give government access to data, calls and other information…

Heads of service providers who do not comply with the new law face imprisonment of up to three years…

Source: Financial Gazette, The (ZW)
Article Link: Click here to link to source page

SADC standards breached

• 2.1.2: Freedom of association;
• 2.1.3: Political tolerance;
• 2.1.6: Equal opportunity to exercise the right to vote and be voted for
• 4.1.1: Constitutional and legal guarantees of freedom and rights of citizens
• 4.1.2: Conducive environment for free, fair and peaceful elections
• 7.4: [The member state holding elections shall] Safeguard the human and civil liberties of all citizens …
• 7.5: [The member state holding elections shall] Take all necessary measures and precautions to prevent the perpetration of fraud, rigging…
• 7.8: [The member state holding elections shall] Ensure the transparency and integrity of the entire electoral process …

Further comments in relation to Zimbabwean legislation:
The spying law says persons who are authorised to make applications for interception of communications include the chiefs of Defence and Intelligence, the Director-General of the President's department of National Security, the Commissioner of Police and the Commissioner-General of the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority. All of these positions are held by people loyal to the Zanu PF party, making it likely that the law will be used for political gain and to monitor and control the opposition movement, human rights activists and the media.