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The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has dismissed as false and misleading claims circulating on social media and some online platforms that Zimbabwe has enacted a standalone “Cyber Crimes Act”.
In a public notice on Sunday, POTRAZ, the designated Data Protection Authority, said the country does not have an independent Cyber Crimes Act, but instead relies on provisions contained in the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23], as amended.
“POTRAZ, as the designated Data Protection Authority, has noted with concern social media posts and online articles claiming that a ‘Cyber Crimes Act’ has been enacted in Zimbabwe. This information is false and misleading. Zimbabwe does not have a standalone ‘Cyber Crimes Act’,” the authority said.
The regulator explained that cybercrime offences in Zimbabwe are provided for under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act, commonly referred to as the Criminal Code.
In 2021, the Legislature amended the Criminal Code through consequential amendments introduced by the Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07] to strengthen the country’s cybercrime framework in line with technological developments.
“Cybercrimes in Zimbabwe are provided for under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23]… In 2021, the Legislature amended the Criminal Code to provide for a robust cybercrime framework, considering technological developments.
“Sections 163 to 168 of the Criminal Code were amended by the consequential amendments in the Cyber and Data Protection Act [Chapter 12:07] to establish offences relating to computer systems, computer data, electronic communications and related conduct (cyber-related crimes),” POTRAZ added.
According to the authority, the law now covers a broad range of offences committed through or against computer and information systems.
These include hacking, unlawful acquisition of data, unlawful interference with data or computer systems, unlawful disclosure of data codes, and the unlawful use of devices or tools designed to commit cyber offences.
Other offences relate to the use of computer systems to transmit messages that incite violence or damage to property, sending threatening data messages, cyberbullying and harassment, and the transmission of false data messages intended to cause harm.
The law also criminalises spam, the transmission of intimate images without consent, the production and dissemination of racist and xenophobic material through computer systems, and the recording of intimate body parts without consent.
Serious child protection offences are also covered, including child sexual abuse material and exposing children to pornography through computer and information systems.
Financial cybercrimes, such as the unauthorised use or possession of credit or debit cards, as well as the unauthorised use of another person’s password or PIN, are also provided for under the same legal framework. Penalties for these offences range from fines at various levels to imprisonment terms of up to 10 years, depending on the nature and gravity of the offence.
POTRAZ urged the public, organisations and media houses to verify legal information using official sources before publishing or sharing it.
“POTRAZ urges the public, organisations and media outlets to verify legal information through official sources before publishing or sharing it. Circulation of misinformation creates confusion and undermines compliance and public understanding of the law,” the authority said.
The regulator added that it is important for the public to appreciate that Zimbabwe is a signatory to the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime (2024) and that the country’s Criminal Code provisions are aligned with international law.
The clarification comes as Zimbabwe continues to strengthen its legal and regulatory frameworks to address growing cyber threats while promoting the responsible use of digital platforms.
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