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Mthabisi Tshuma in Victoria Falls
The Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Dr Tatenda Mavetera, has officially opened the 2nd edition of the Potraz Data Privacy Week Symposium, which is being held in the resort city of Victoria Falls.
Minister Mavetera is accompanied by ICT Deputy Minister Dingumuzi Phuti.
The event is being held under the theme, “Bridging Technology, Policy, Law and Practice Towards
Strengthening Data Protection in Zimbabwe.”
As the Data Protection Authority of Zimbabwe, Potraz is committed to ensuring a high standard of data protection through public awareness, capacity building, compliance, and enforcement.
The three-day symposium is being attended by a cross-section of data protection experts, academics, researchers, business representatives, regulators, policymakers, and security services.
Notable attendees include the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on ICT, Postal and Courier Services, Hon Vusumuzi Moyo, the MP for Hwange West, and Hon Albert Mavhunga, the MP for Nketa, who is also a member of the committee.
Among those attending the symposium are Potraz Director General Dr Gift Machengete, Potraz Deputy Director Mr Alfred Marisa, directors from the ICT Ministry, Potraz board members, representatives from the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT), directors from the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC), technical services directors in the President’s department, officials from the Complaints and Investigation unit at the South African Information Regulator, officials from the Deposit Protection Corporation, and representatives from NetOne, Telecel, Africom, Zimswitch, Mukuru, the Computer Society of Zimbabwe, Silo Foods Industries, Econet, Zimpost, the Methodist Church, and Aura World, among others.
In her remarks, Minister Mavetera said the gathering underscores the collective commitment to safeguarding the digital rights and privacy of all Zimbabweans.
“There is a mission that grows more urgent as we navigate an increasingly interconnected world. In an era where data drives economies, empowers innovation, and shapes governance, privacy is no longer a luxury—it is a fundamental human right.
“The rapid adoption of digital technologies in Zimbabwe, from mobile banking to e-government services, has transformed lives and businesses. However, it also exposes citizens to risks such as data breaches, identity theft, and cyber exploitation,” said Minister Mavetera.
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