01 Dec 2020

The Minister of Defence Security and Justice, Mr Kagiso Mmusi says 38 cases of cyber bullying related offences have been recorded since the enactment of the Cybercrime and Computer Related Act of 2018.

Mr Mmusi, who was responding to a question from the Specially Elected MP, Dr Unity Dow said since the law came into effect in July 2018, four cases of cyber stalking and revenge pornography had been recorded for each offence.

Three cases were recorded for Cyber extortion while 27 cases were recorded under offensive electronic communication offence thus making a total of 38 offences.

 Mr Mmusi said out of the cases recorded, three were completed before the court and four were withdrawn. He said 22 were still under investigations while seven have been submitted to the DPP for possible prosecution with one was closed as it was found to be false.

He said the Cybercrime and Computer Related Crimes Act did not have a specific offence of ‘Cyber bullying’.

He, however, noted that Cyber harassment, Cyber stalking and Cyber extortion were provided for in the Act under section 16, 17 and 14 respectively as they had elements and similarities to cyber bullying.

Mr Mmusi said while the act was new, no limitations had been identified in relation to warranting interventions.

He noted that cybercrime and computer-related offences were premised on technological advancement which by nature kept on evolving.

He further said the act was a new piece of legislation that addressed uncommon and emerging criminal offences which were previously not expressly provided for in any Law.

 Mr Mmusi further said the ministry and other relevant stakeholders would make continuous efforts to conduct public awareness campaigns intended to sensitise social media accounts holders on how to protect themselves.

Dr Dow had asked the minister to state the number of cases if any of cyber bullying and the limitations, if any, observed in the current Cybercrime Law.

She also wanted to know if the minister considered it necessary to reform the law to make it obligatory that those who participated in the cyber space provided their full names and be prohibited from hiding behind fake identities. ENDS