SECTOR 1 1.9 The state does not seek to block or filter Internet content unless in accordance with laws that provide for restrictions that serve a legitimate interest and are necessary in a democratic society, and which are applied by independent courts. The Interception of Communications Act empowers government entities, with permission granted by the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, to “lawfully” intercept communications , including internet communications, for up to three months without the knowledge of the owner(s) of those communications. According to the Act, every Internet Service Provider (ISP) – under the advice of an established ‘monitoring centre’ – has to install equipment “to enable interception of communications at all times or when so required.” Telecommunications and postal service providers also have to keep up to date records of the contract users of their services and also central database with all registrations. Service providers who do not comply with these and other stipulations in the Act that call for their assistance may be found guilty of an offence and subject to fines and/or imprisonment. The example of Elizabeth Macheka Morgan Tsvangirai’s former wife, was cited, wherein in 2013, her phone and email communications were intercepted, and communication between her and a married man, Kennedy Ngirazi, extracted, regarding a meeting in Cape Town. On social media, panellists noted that aside from the Baba Jukwa case, they didn’t know of any other sites that had “attracted government attention with such intensity.” The Cyber Security Bill is currently in draft form, and has not yet been passed into law. It, however, outlines offences such as pornography, the handling of racist or xenophobic material, the illegal access or use of a computer and illegal interception, illegal data interference, data espionage, and so forth. Panellists noted that parts of this Bill could be unconstitutional, as they contradict Section 57 of the Constitution, as there is no proviso in this regard. Section 57 in the constitution protects the right to privacy. Section 57(d) in particular protects the privacy of citizens’ communications. “The thrust is freedom of privacy, but there is no proviso in terms of security, etc.” Additionally, both the Interception Act and the possible Cyber Secrecy Bill still need to be aligned to the new Constitution. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER ZIMBABWE 2015 21