Communications Bill adopted

ALL ten opposition party Members of Parliament present in the National Assembly yesterday rejected the controversial Communications Bill and voted against it, while the 32 Swapo MPs with voting rights present all rose like one to vote in favour. The bill will now be sent to the National Council.

In his response to the debate on the bill, which provides for the interception of e-mails, short messaging service (sms) and internet banking, Information Minister Joel Kaapanda said the bill was long overdue.’It is a pity that the media created an unnecessary confusion through sensational reporting. ‘The new bill only creates the ability to intercept through appropriate infrastructure and does not create the right to intercept,’ Kaapanda pointed out.He noted the concerns of opposition MPs about who would have access to those future interception centres and that they felt there should be strict control about that. The DTA party had requested to refer the bill to a Parliamentary Standing Committee, but that was not necessary, the Minister added.’An amendment was proposed (during the debate) to involve the Security Commission consents to the staff appointed to the interception centres and that they should take an oath of secrecy. This additional amendment will strengthen the existing checks and balances,’ the Minister added. He said he could also assure the House that the future Communications Regulatory Authority would be an independent and autonomous entity contrary to the fears of the opposition.