Cabinet approves Bill to amend Cyber Security Act to strengthen enforcement mechanisms

Cabinet has in principle, approved the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to amend the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act No. 2 of 2021, in order to strengthen enforcement mechanism, redefine concepts to align them to the Constitution.

The Government says it will undertake wider consultation with members of the public on this matter.

The law when finally put in place, will, among others, enhance provisions on combating of cybercrime. The need to address issues pertaining to administration and enforcement mechanisms relating to cybercrimes, cyber terrorism and cyber warfare against the sovereign Republic of Zambia are equally important.

This was revealed by the Minister of Information who is also Chief Spokesperson of Government, Chushi Kasanda.

Below is her statement:

PRESS STATEMENT BY THE CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON ON THE DECISIONS MADE BY CABINET AT THE 16TH CABINET MEETING, HELD ON THURSDAY, 11TH AUGUST, 2022

The President of the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Hakainde Hichilema called for the 16th Cabinet Meeting which was held on Thursday, 11th August, 2022, at State House, to discuss developmental policy and legislative issues aimed at improving the general living standards of the people in the country.

The following were the decisions made:

1. Accession to the Treaty on the Establishment of the African Medicines Agency (AMA).

Cabinet approved Zambia’s accession to the Treaty on the establishment of the African Medicines Agency (AMA) in order to have strong national regulatory systems, with technical backup at regional and continental levels.

The African Medicines Agency was established as a specialised Agency of the African Union. During the February, 2019 AU Member States Assembly, the Assembly came up with an Assembly Decision /AU/Dec.735(XXXII), adopting the Treaty for the establishment of the African Medicines Agency (AMA). It is in the interest of the Government to ratify the AMA Treaty for the purposes of fostering cooperation and coordination in the fields of health within the AU Members.

Cabinet expressed the need for Zambia to belong to a number of bodies at regional, continental and global levels in order to ensure maximum benefits to the people.

2. Accession to the Convention of the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC).

Cabinet also approved Zambia’s accession to the Convention of the East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community, in order to foster and promote regional cooperation in health among Member States.

Zambia is a member of the ECSA-HC and, therefore, ratifying the Convention will provide the country with an opportunity to work with other countries and partners to raise the standard of health for the people of the East, Central and Southern Africa (ECSA) region by promoting efficiency and effectiveness of health services through cooperation, collaboration, research, capacity building, policy development and advocacy.

The Member States of the ECSA Health Community include Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Seychelles, Eswatini, United Republic of Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

3. Legislation Matters

In the area of legislation, Cabinet approved in principle, to the introduction of seven (7) Bills in Parliament during the next siting as follows:

(a) Animal Identification and Traceability Bill, 2022:

Cabinet approved in principle to the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to repeal the Animal Identification Act, No. 28 of 2010 and Section 21 of the Animal Health Act, No. 27 of 2010, and replace it with the Animal Identification and Traceability Act in order to provide for the broadening of the scope of animal identification marks; domesticate World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Standards and Guidelines on traceability in Zambia; allow for registration of agents to be part of the process of registration of identifications marks; introduction of traceability functions; and use of approved e-platforms for animal identification and traceability.

(b) The Ionising Radiation Protection (Repeal and Replacement) Bill, 2022.

Cabinet approved in principle to the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to repeal and replace the Ionising Radiation Protection Act No. 16 of 2005 in order to provide for a legal framework that will strengthen the coordination and regulation of the Nuclear Science in the country.

Following Zambia’s resolve to scale up the role of Nuclear Science for peaceful purposes, Government approved the 2020 National Nuclear Policy.

Therefore, the proposed legal framework will facilitate the implementation of the Policy with the view to enhancing socio-economic development and fostering industrialisation in Zambia. The use of nuclear science and technology will enable Zambia to put science and technology including research and development (R&D) at the center of its development agenda.

(c) The Science and Technology (Repeal and Replacement) Bill, 2022.

During the same Meeting, Cabinet also approved in principle, to the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to repeal and replace the Science and Technology Act of 1997 in order to streamline coordination of Science, technology and innovation (STI) and incorporate major changes and trends that have emerged in science and technology overtime.

Cabinet is of the view that, with a revised legislation in place, going forward, there will be a well-coordinated science, technology and innovation sector that will ensure that STI’s contribute significantly to the economic development of the country.

(d) The Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes (Amendment) Bill, 2022.

Another matter approved by Cabinet in principle, is the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to amend the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act No. 2 of 2021, in order to strengthen enforcement mechanism, redefine concepts to align them to the Constitution. Government will undertake wider consultation with members of the public on this matter.

The law when finally put in place, will, among others, enhance provisions on combating of cybercrime. The need to address issues pertaining to administration and enforcement mechanisms relating to cybercrimes, cyber terrorism and cyber warfare against the sovereign Republic of Zambia are equally important.

(e) The Start-Up Bill, 2022.

Cabinet also approved in principle to the introduction of a Bill in Parliament entitled “The Start Up Bill, 2022,” in order to promote investments in innovation, research and development and provide a legal framework to strengthen the coordination mechanisms of Start Ups and financing through Venture Capital Financing for young innovators and entrepreneurs among others.

Cabinet is aware of the many laws pertaining to economic empowerment and youth development, which promote entrepreneurship in various sectors of the economy, however, they are considered not to sufficiently address the needs of the economy.

Cabinet, therefore, envisages that the Start-Up legal framework will stimulate innovation among young people and contribute to enhancing the socio-economic development and fostering industrialisation in Zambia and more importantly, foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.

(f) The Judicial Training Center of Zambia Bill, 2022.

Further, Cabinet approved in principle to the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to establish the Judicial Training Center that will offer continued judicial education and professional training for judges, judicial officers and judicial staff in the Judicial Service.

Government has realised that currently, there is no specific law to guide the judicial education and professional training for judges, judicial officers and judicial staff. Therefore, with the fast changing legal landscape and constant amendments to the existing laws and the introduction of new legislation, it has become increasingly important to have personnel serving in the Judicial Service be kept abreast of the changes.

(g) The National Youth Development Council (Repeal and Replacement) Bill, 2022.

Cabinet also approved in principle to the introduction of a Bill in Parliament to repeal and replace the National Youth Development Council (NYDC) Act, Chapter 144 of the Laws of Zambia, in order for the new law to respond to the current needs of the youth.

Once repealed and replaced, the National Youth Development Council (NYDC) Act, will be responsive to society’s needs, clearly state the composition, appointment, function and tenure of office of the NYDC Board Members and to provide clear guidance on the registration and coordination of youth organisations.

It is in the interest of Government to enhance the provision of youth employment and empowerment which will contribute to economic growth and job creation, a matter which the New Dawn Administration has continued to pursue for the sake of improving the livelihoods of the youth country-wide.

4. Appointment of Members of the Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) Board.

During the same Meeting, Cabinet approved a nine (9) member Zambia Information and Communication Technology Authority (ZICTA) Board in accordance with the provisions of Section 4.1(1) of the Information and Communication Technologies Act No. 15 of 2009 as read together with Statutory Instrument No. 28 of 2022.

It is important to appoint the ZICTA Board so as to provide policy direction in the area of ICT in the country.

5. National Volunteer Policy.

In winding up debate for the day, Cabinet approved the National Volunteer Policy in order to promote and guide the development of a strong volunteer sector so as to optimise the contribution of volunteers to Zambia’s economic, social and political development.

The National Volunteer Policy provides a framework to guide the implementation of volunteers’ interventions that contribute to national development. It also identifies the gaps in volunteerism which have resulted in challenges in the management and coordination of volunteers and responds to the challenges by providing clear guidelines on all forms of volunteers in the delivery of services across all sectors.

Hon. Chushi Kasanda, MP
MINISTER OF INFORMATION AND MEDIA AND CHIEF GOVERNMENT SPOKESPERSON

12th August, 2022