STATE OF PRESS FREEDOM IN SOUTHERN AFRICA REPORT 2021 14 for a prohibitory interdict against the enforcement of the warrant on the basis that it was disproportionate and posed a threat of mass and targeted surveillance, hence, a grave violation of the right to privacy. (23) Further, governments in the region are also arresting human rights defenders, journalists included, on unfounded charges and then using that channel to confiscate gadgets, including laptops and mobile phones in order to snoop into their communications. Source: A Patchwork for Privacy-Mapping Communica�ons Surveillance Laws in Southern Africa, Murray Hunter and Admire Mare, 2020 in several African countries for surveillance purposes. (17) (18) (19) (20) Pegasus is used to gain access to one’s device and stored data, including passwords, calendars, contacts, SMS records, browsing history and direct call applications. It works through a phishing link that is sent to the targeted person, who upon clicking it, unwittingly downloads and instals Pegasus in the background without the user knowing it. This allows the spyware to bypass all the digital protection features that might have been set up on the mobile devices. This, therefore, poses a great risk to journalists that are not equipped with knowledge and tools for purposes of digital safety and security, thus, putting them and their confidential sources of information at risk. (21) Monitoring of bank transactions is also another form of surveillance that African governments are using. In Zimbabwe, the government once attempted to acquire private information of over eight million subscribers of the largest mobile network operator Econet Wireless under the guise that the firm’s mobile money platform — Ecocash — was being used for money laundering purposes. The warrant for seizure, allowed the police to collect information on mobile money transactions for all subscribers between January and July 2021. (22) On behalf of the media sector in the country, the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA) Zimbabwe had to approach the High Court In brief, what has been noted in several countries in the region are the following aspects: (24) ● There are several legal provisions enabling surveillance as found in different laws; ● Independent oversight bodies to monitor the activities of law enforcement authorities are absent; ● Investigating authorities do not publicly report on their activities; ● Individuals subject to surveillance are not notified about it nor are they afforded the opportunity to appeal. The following are examples of cases of surveillance of journalists in three countries in the region: South Africa According to Reporters Without Borders, while press freedom is guaranteed in South Africa, it is fragile. The report indicates evidence of a State security agency spying on some journalists by tapping their phones. Others are harassed and subjected to intimidation campaigns if they try to cover certain stories involving the ruling ANC, government finances and redistribution of land to the black population or