By Masline Mavudzi
The Japan Embassy in Zimbabwe has extended a 3.6 million dollars grant to Zimbabwe for the establishment of Cyber Security equipment in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa Region.
The Exchange of Notes for this Grant aid was signed by Japanese Ambassador to Zimbabwe H.E. Mr Toshiyuki Iwado and the Minister of Finance and Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube.
Speaking during the signing ceremony today, at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Ambassador Iwado said, the cyber security equipment was chartered for improving the safety of Zimbabwe and the region from increasing cyber-crimes.
“The Government of Japan has positively responded to a request from the Government of Zimbabwe and recognizing the importance of increased cyber security to protect the people, natural resources and industrial development from the threats of transnational crime and cybercrime. The Government of Japan decided to assist Zimbabwe with the latest Japanese-made-state-of-the-art information sharing platform.
“This equipment will be owned by the Government of Zimbabwe through the Zimbabwe Republic Police and will be shared with the INTERPOL regional bureau of Africa headquarters in Harare,” he said.
Ambassador Iwado also said the equipment would assist in economic development of Zimbabwe.
“It is well recognized that economic development is closely related with the level of safety in the country. President Mnangagwa has emphasized that agriculture, mining and tourism will be sectors driving Zimbabwe’s economic development. With regards to tourism, there is no doubt that a high level of safety in the country can attract tourists and therefore, it is of fundamental importance for tourism to prosper,” said Ambassador Iwado.
Expressing gratitude to the Government of Japan for the contribution, Minister of Finance and Economic Development Professor Mthuli Ncube said the equipment was vital for Zimbabwe in safe guarding public against cybercrimes.
“There are individuals who have abused the existence of technology, committing crimes and acts of terrorism using technology. In this regard it is pertinent for our Government to safe guard the public against such crimes and prosecution of the perpetrators,” said Prof Ncube.
The cybercrime equipment is also meant to support the procurement of services necessary for the procurement and transportation of products, training and other necessary services for operation and maintenance of equipment for enhancing the ability to counter terrorism and public safety.
