Harare, (New Ziana) – The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has moved to dispel growing confusion on social media over the country’s cybercrime laws, stating categorically that Zimbabwe did not have a standalone Cyber Crimes Act.
In a statement, POTRAZ Director-General, Gift Machengete said claims circulating on social media that the country had enacted a standalone Cyber Crime Act were misleading, and risked distorting the public’s understanding of the law.
He said cyber-related offences in Zimbabwe are dealt with under the Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23], which was revised in 2021 to explicitly cover cybercrime.
“Zimbabwe does not have a separate Cyber Crimes Act,” Machengete said. “Cyber offences are comprehensively provided for under the Criminal Code, particularly in Part VIII, which was amended to respond to emerging digital threats.”
According to POTRAZ, the amended Criminal Code criminalizes a broad range of online and technology-driven offences.
These include illegal access to computer systems (hacking), unlawful interception or acquisition of data, and deliberate interference with data, storage media, or entire computer systems. Some of these offences attract penalties of up to 10 years’ imprisonment or heavy fines.
The law also targets the misuse of digital tools and access credentials, the unlawful disclosure of passwords or access codes, and the use or distribution of devices or software designed to facilitate cybercrime.
Beyond technical offences, the legislation extends to harmful online conduct such as cyberbullying, online harassment, the sending of threatening or false messages intended to cause harm, and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. Offenders convicted under these provisions face prison terms ranging from one to ten years, depending on the severity of the offence.
Machengete highlighted that the law places strong emphasis on protecting children and society at large. Serious penalties apply to offences involving child sexual abuse material, exposing children to pornography, and covert recording beneath a person’s clothing without consent.
The Criminal Code further criminalizes the online production and distribution of racist or xenophobic material, as well as fraud-related crimes such as the unauthorized use of credit or debit cards and passwords.
POTRAZ urged journalists, organizations and members of the public to verify legal information with official institutions before sharing it widely.
“The circulation of misinformation creates unnecessary confusion and undermines both compliance and public confidence in the law,” Machengete said.
He also noted that Zimbabwe’s cybercrime provisions are not operating in isolation but are aligned with global norms.
Zimbabwe is a signatory to the United Nations Convention Against Cybercrime of 2024, and the country’s legal framework reflects international best practice.
POTRAZ said it remains available to clarify regulatory and legal issues affecting the information and communications technology sector, particularly at a time when digital platforms are playing an increasingly central role in everyday life.
New Ziana
