Zimbabwe passes law to monitor phones, mail

[sabra]

http://africa.reuters.com/top/news/usnBAN357420.html

HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe has signed into law an act enabling state security agents to monitor phone lines, mail and the Internet, a government notice published on Friday said.

Officials have said the new law is designed to protect national security and prevent crime, but human rights groups fear it will muzzle free speech under a crackdown on dissent.

In the government notice, Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Misheck Sibanda said Mugabe had agreed to the Interception of Communications Act, which was approved by both houses of Zimbabwe's parliament in June.

The law gives police and the departments of national security, defence intelligence and revenue powers to order the interception of communications and provides for the creation of a monitoring centre.

[bullimiami]

1. just like here.

but why bother.

[hobbit709]

2. Wannabe imitators

[C_U_L8R]

3. Tyrant see. Tyrant do.

Corrupt minds think alike.

[Selatius]

4. Robert Mugabe is more honest about his authoritarianism.

He doesn't hide behind the veneer of democracy. He comes out and tells you who has the power and who doesn't. Bush lies and pretends democracy is still alive. Here, though, Mugabe is borrowing a page from Bush's playbook.

[RaleighNCDUer]

5. Ain't it great to live in a country where that kind of thing doesn't happen? nt