Harrington said these reforms include: restoration of rule of law, commitment to equitable, legal and
transparent land reform and ensuring military and national police forces are subordinate to the civilian
government. AIPPA and POSA which have long been used to “suppress human rights and which
violate Zimbabwe’s constitution”, should be repealed.
This situation imposes immense responsibilities on President Mnangagwa as it demands his urgent
attention of which demonstration of leadership skills and qualities should be the key driver to the
rebranding of Zimbabwe.

❖ Media Environment

The fact that the year under review passed without the envisaged media law and policy reforms posed
as a serious indictment on the government’s commitment to implementing these reforms in line with the
2013 Constitution.
These socio-economic and political reforms are critical in underpinning the enjoyment and protection of
fundamental rights in line with internationally recognised declarations and principles. It goes without
saying that they are at the core of Zimbabwe unlocking critical foreign direct investment and
international goodwill to kick-start its ailing economy and generate employment.
Implementation of these reforms ahead of the 2018 elections would have been a progressive milestone
in entrenching citizens’ rights to freedom of assembly, association, access to information and free
expression. It would have also gone a long way in exorcising the country of the ghost of its continuously
disputed election outcomes.
It is against the background of the stalled reforms and lack of political will to ditch Mugabe’s tattered
legacy, that MISA Zimbabwe cautiously welcomed President Mnangagwa’s mention of the
Broadcasting Services Act (BSA), as among other laws that would be amended during the session of
the Ninth Parliament of Zimbabwe.
In his State of the Nation Address when he officially opened the First Session of the 9th Parliament in
Harare on 18 September 2018, the Zanu PF leader also spoke on the need to finalise and debate new
Bills such as the Cybersecurity and Cybercrimes Bill, the Data Protection Bill and the Electronic
Transactions and Electronic Commerce Bill.

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