By Derick Tsimba

Residents of Nyamandlovu have called for stiffer penalties for fake news peddlers indicating that they are misleading people; this was during submissions to the Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill in Bulawayo today.

In his submission Gift Moyo said fake news was discrediting and misinforming people.

“Fake news is discrediting and is misinforming us as citizens. As in the case of strikes at hospitals you are told hospitals are closed yet they will be open. These lies put our health at risk when we fail to go for check-up or treatment based on false information. There is need for stiffer penalties through the Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill to punish would be offenders.

“We should take the Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill as the first step and improve on that as a nation. I myself support the Cyber Security and Data Protection Bill,” he said.

Speaking to the Nyamandlovu community, Chairman of the Thematic Committee on Peace and Security, Portfolio Committee on ICT, Postal and Courier Services and Portfolio Committee on Media, Information and Broadcasting Services, Senator David Parirenyatwa said the purpose of the Bill was to address Cyber Crimes.

“The purpose of the Bill is to address Cyber-crimes since people are committing crimes through computers. It is important that we hear your views. We want this Bill to be in line with the constitution, we want it to be according to international practices,” he said.

Submissions to the Cyber Security Bill are progressing well in Matebeleland receiving much support from the public, the Harare Post can report.