By Sukuoluhle Ndlovu
Masvingo – Mixed feelings were expressed by the Masvingo residents over the Cyber Security and Data Protection bill at a public hearing at Mucheke Hall yesterday.
Quite a number attended the bill and aired out their concerns to the Parliamentary Portfolio that was present who promised to take the views of the citizens and try by all means to include their voices when amending the bill.
One citizen expressed his concern over the freedom of the people if the bill is to applied.
One, Phillip Mugabe said that he felt the views of the people are not being represented.
“You are just coming to us to take our views but on the contrary, what we then say is not being applied in the Bill. You are bringing your ideas to use rather than you taking note of what we want as the people yet our voice is the one that should be heard.
We once said that the Constitution should cater for those living with disabilities but there is nothing that was done, so why are you coming to the provinces when you will not submit the people’s views. The voice of the people should be implemented,” said Mugabe.
He added that freedom of speech is vital.
“We want freedom of speech, let the media operate as they want, they should be free. By this bill, you want to regulate the media and also you will be controlling us too. The media is a vital tool and they should be there to inform us, we want the alternative media so that we can know what will be transpiring, we do not want to be controlled by some law,” Mugabe said.
Moses Ziyambi, a TellZim reporter said whistle blowers must be protected.
“Whistle blowers should be protected and they should have their rights. Whistle blowers are the ones who are helping in the fight against corruption hence their safety is of vitality. The government should desist from using their powers to trace whistle blowers.
POTRAZ is not an independent parastatal hence it is not neutral and this is then a threat to the safety of the citizens as the government can access any information about a person without even their concern so it has to be independent and no information of an individual must be shared without their concern,” said Ziyambi.
