PF MPS REJECT CYBER CRIMES AND CYBER SECURITY BILLS

PF MPS REJECT CYBER CRIMES AND CYBER SECURITY BILLS

…calls for deferment of the bills for wider stakeholder consulation

Lusaka, Thursday, 5th November, 2024 (SmartEagles)

Patriotic Front Members of Parliament have rejected the Cyber Crimes Bill and the Cyber Security Bill being tabled for the Second Reading stage in the National Assembly.

The Parliamentarians have cited the lack of wider stakeholder consultation before the two bills were rushed to parliament despite the two Committees which presided over the stakeholder engagement also not being in support of the two bills.

Speaking at a press briefing today, Kamfinsa Member of Parliament Hon Christopher Kang’ombe has cited Clause ten 3b of the Cyber Crimes Bill seeks to empower law enforcement officers like the Police, DEC, ACC to record a private conversation between citizens where they feel there is reasonable suspicion of intent to commit a crime.

Hon Kang’ombe says should these bills pass, those of who enjoy freedoms to talk to their colleagues will no longer have the same freedoms because they risk having their conversations recorded.

“If we fail the Zambian people and this law passes, our rights to privacy will be infringed upon by state officers therefore we are rejecting this Cyber Crimes Bill,” Hon Kang’ombe said.

And on the Cyber Security Bill, Hon Kang’ombe has bemoaned that the UPND are proposing the interception of communication on oral request whereby telecommunication companies can be instructed to intercept or record what citizens are discussing without court orders.

Hon Kang’ombe, who is also PF National Youth Chairperson says this goes against the Constitution which requires law enforcement officers to obtain consent from the Attorney general and a court order before proceeding to record a private conversation.

He states that this confirms what the UPND have been doing all along but the problem they are having is that the current law does not allow it so they want to find ways to legitimatise it.

“What else can make the ruling party to push for enactment of such a draconian provision of the law other than the fact that they have been intercepting our private conversations but the law does not allow them to act on it?” Hon Kang’ombe questioned.

He says this is a bad law that should not be allowed to pass and the lawmakers will be failing in their duties if they allow it to pass particularly that they represent the interests of young people in their respective constituencies.

And Lunte Member of Parliament Mutotwe Kafwaya has reminded the UPND that prior to being voted into power, they had promised to repeal the cyber laws having demonised what the PF government had enacted.

Hon Kafwaya recalls that in 2021 before parliament was dissolved, he as Minister of Transport and Communications spearheaded the enactment of three bills including the current Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act.

He explains that before enactment, the PF had a lot of wider stakeholder engagement and consulted at all levels and a lot of time was given to the committee to engage unlike the two days given by the UPND.

Hon Kafywaya recalls that even when over ten days was given for stakeholders to give reviews, the UPND accused the PF of rushing the bills hence it is surprising that they could allocate two days to hear stakeholder views.

He has since called on President Hakainde Hichilema to prevail over his ministers responsible so that the bills are deferred for proper stakeholder consultations.

“Both the two Committees responsible for the two bills and the stakeholders are not in support of the bills and have urged the Executive arm of government to defer it for further consultation,” Hon Kafywaya noted.
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