One piece of legislation which is meant to complement the National ICT Policy is the Electronic Communications and Electronic Commerce Draft Bill. This bill seeks to achieve a number of objectives that are associated with electronic communications and e-commerce.
Firstly, it seeks to promote the legal certainty and enforceability of electronic transactions and electronic commerce. Secondly, the draft Bill seeks to grant legal recognition to electronic communications and writing. Thirdly, the draft Bill is to provide for the legal effect of electronic signatures and secure electronic signatures.
Read more: Some thoughts on Zimbabwe’s Electronic Communications & E-commerce Draft Bill
Government has affirmed its commitment to develop the Information Communication and Technology (ICT) sector despite the national security risks associated with use of the Internet.
In a speech read on his behalf during a Media Institute of Southern Africa (Misa) Zimbabwe chapter- organised civil society Internet governance conference in Harare yesterday, ICT minister Supa Mandiwanzira said stakeholders should fully utilise enormous opportunities created by the Internet.
Read more: ZW: Govt affirms commitment to develop ICT sector
Information and Communication Technology minister Supa Mandiwanzira yesterday disclosed that government’s economic intelligence data was being handled by a foreign-controlled company, EOH Holdings, an arrangement he described as a security risk.
He said EOH, a Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed company, had acquired 49% shares from local firm Twenty Third Century Systems and its subsidiaries. The system allows businesses to track customer and business interactions and data management programmes.
Local internet provider Powertel has revealed plans to establish and connect 55 schools across Zimbabwe to its vast fibre network for free. The internet connections offer speeds of up to 1 Mbps and schools are being selected based on the proximity to Powertel’s infrastructure.
This is meant to compliment government efforts at expanding the use of technology by providing infrastructural support and bringing connectivity to every community while enhancing e-services in every sector of the economy, including education.
Read more: ZW: Powertel to connect 55 schools to the internet for free
The Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Courier and Postal Services has raised security concerns over the use of a sole software supplier to implement the e-Government programmes in light of recent reports that the company, Twenty Third Century Systems, was recently acquired by a foreign-owned firm.
Johannesburg Stock Exchange-listed EOH recently announced it would buy between 49 percent and 80 percent of Twenty Third Century Systems and its subsidiaries for an undisclosed amount.