Cybersecurity and Cybercrime Laws in the SADC Region https://zimbabwe.misa.org Background It is now axiomatic that the mass diff usion of the internet and its ancillary digital technologies have created an alternative space for the widespread and ‘unrestricted’ exercise of rights like freedom of expression, freedom of assembly and access to information especially in contexts where such rights are already curtailed through legal and political repression. It has facilitated the conducting of online transactions, e-learning, remote working, video conferencing and many other political, economic, cultural and social activities. Despite the intractable issue of digital divide and inequalities, the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region has witnessed the growth of internet and social media penetration and use over the last two decades owing to the liberalisation of the telecommunications sector and the advent of advanced wireless technologies such as 3G, 4G and 5G. 2 The digital space has altered communication patterns with online and social media becoming the preeminent arena for public communication and culture, often giving ordinary citizens a voice that they previously lacked (Mare, 2018). The emergence of e-commerce has also created business opportunities and convenience for citizens, whilst at the same time opening up the space for crime and the possibility of compromising citizens’ data security. Ultimately, governments are compelled to enact legislation to govern the online and digital space in order to prevent cyber-related crimes and protect citizens from hackers and fraudsters. In the process, though, the online and digital rights of citizens must be similarly protected as the governments enact these laws. The reality, however, is that many countries have either introduced or are planning to introduce cybersecurity and cybercrime laws that potentially threaten the