Zimbabwe’s telecommunications regulator, the Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), is pushing for the creation of a new law that would require the registration of all phones’ IMEI numbers in a national database.
They argue that this is necessary to combat cybercrime, improve mobile transaction security, and prevent stolen phones from being reused. South Africa and Kenya have similar systems.
However, there are concerns in Zimbabwe due to the country’s unique political context, with some fearing that this initiative may be about control rather than security.
Zimbabwe has a history of surveillance, which amplifies these concerns. Recently, state television aired footage of a ZANU-PF meeting where party officials allegedly claimed they could read WhatsApp messages.
While the truth of this claim remains unclear, the broadcast was perceived as a warning: “We are watching you.”
In past elections, rumors circulated that biometric voter data could reveal who people voted for. Although these rumors were later denied, they caused fear, leading people to hesitate in casting their votes.
Moreover, there is no clear explanation as to why the new IMEI policy is necessary. Mobile providers already collect IMEI numbers when SIM cards are registered or when phones are purchased. This raises the question: why create another database?
These events have sparked widespread discussions about digital freedom across the country.