Zimbabwean Communications Minister Chris Mushowe has told parliament that the government may amend its controversial Interception of Communications Bill to place the authority to monitor citizen phone calls and e-mails with the courts. This would remove that responsibility from his ministry, as stated by the bill as drafted.
Mushowe indicated the possibility of a revision in the legislation in testimony before the parliamentary committee on transport and communications.
Legal officer Wilbert Mandinde of the Media Institute of Southern Africa, present at the parliamentary hearing, told reporter Patience Rusere of VOA's Studio 7 for Zimbabwe that Mushowe's concession is small and constitutional rights could still be violated