Government has reassured that it has not breached the trust between itself and stakeholders over the proposed Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Bills.
President Hakainde Hichilema met Civil Society organizations this morning at State House where the latter expressed their concerns over the proposals made by government on Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes laws which have since been withdrawn from parliament.
The Civil Society organizations submitted that the bills lack the necessary protection for legitimate citizen action, a risk to good governance and democracy as well as limited transparency and participation.
As a result, the Civil Society stressed that the bills may erode the trust between government and law enactment stakeholders.
However, government reassured that it retains its commitment to ensuring thorough engagement and transparency over the proposed bills hence its move to meet and dialogue with the Civil Society.
“If there is erosion of trust as alleged by yourselves there would not have been this meeting. This meeting is sitting to consider matters which you have raised,” Minister of Home Affairs and Internal Security Jack Mwiimbu said.
The minister added that President Hichilema had taken it upon himself to direct the withdrawal of the proposed bills from parliament to engage with the civil society as well as other stakeholders and take their concerns into account.
“Immediately the President noted your concerns, he gave guidance that the matters be withdrawn from parliament to enable stakeholders discuss this matter amicably with a view to resolve the contentious interests,” he said.
Mwiimbu further described government’s move to withdraw the proposed bills from parliament in order to engage stakeholders as a symbol of good governance.
“For me this meeting is a hallmark of good governance and I am also aware that in the past this never used to happen,” he added.
Government had proposed the enactment of the Cyber Security and Cyber Security Bills with the aim of safeguarding critical information and infrastructure as well as regulation of cyber security agencies to meet certain standards through the establishment of the Zambia Cyber Security Agency.
