New phone-tapping bill

President Mugabe was expected to sign a controversial Postal and Telecommunications Bill this month, throwing into disarray Zimbabwe's fledgling telecommunications sector, 'The Financial Gazette' reported on Thursday. The Bill, allowing the government to eavesdrop on communication between individuals and companies, was passed by Parliament in March. Ministry of Information director Andries Rukobo said yesterday the Bill had already been sent to Mugabe and was waiting for his signature. "The Bill has come under fire from Zimbabwean e-mail and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) because of the sweeping powers it gives to Mugabe, enabling him to force service providers to allow the government to intercept and monitor communications passing through their facilities," the paper said. "It also gives Mugabe the power to monitor and intercept communications via cellular phones, e-mail and conventional telephones."