By Tendai Matunhu

The Freedom of Information Bill has been welcomed considering that it has reduced number of days in terms of processing requests compared to Access of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA).

Speaking to delegates at the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Information Media and Broadcasting Services public hearing meeting on the Freedom of Information Bill today in Harare, Media Alliance Zimbabwe (MAZ) Coordinator, Nigel Nyamutumbu, welcomed the reduction in the processing of requests from 60 days under AIPPA to 35 days under the current Freedom of Information Bill.

Nyamutumbu also recommended to the committee that they revisit section 17 of the Freedom of Information Bill that spells out the cost of accessing information such as inspection and search fees.

National Assembly member for Makonde, Kindness Paradza urged the public not to just criticise the new Freedom of Information Bill, but must instead propose solutions.

This is the first of the 10 hearings Parliament will conduct in all the ten provinces.

The  Freedom  of  Information  Bill which was gazetted in July seeks to  repeal  the  Access  to  Information  and Protection of Privacy Act [Chapter 10:27]. The Bill seeks to give effect to Section 62 of the Constitution which provides for the right to access to information as enshrined in the Declaration of Rights. It is part of the new dispensation to fulfil the reform agenda as the country pursues a new trajectory in domestic and foreign policies.

As part of President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s reform agenda, early this year, Cabinet also approved the Maintenance of Peace and Order Bill, which seeks to repeal the Public Order and Security Act (POSA).

The repeal of AIPPA and POSA are expected to pave way for the democratic space and the enjoyment of freedoms and rights in the country.