Constitutional law expert and lecturer at Kent University, United Kingdom, Alex Magaisa said that there is no reason to celebrate yet with the government’s announcement that the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act (AIPPA) will be repealed.
He cautioned that a more draconian law could be passed to replace the loathsome AIPPA. Saiid Magaisa:
ZANU PF types, including opportunists who only recently discovered its virtues can’t understand why there is no pomp and ceremony over the repeal of AIPPA, the media law. For them, a man must be congratulated for announcing that he will wash up after deliberately soiling himself.
Those familiar with ZANU PF have learnt not to celebrate just because they found eggs in the chicken run. Experience has taught them they may not all be chicken eggs. ZANU PF will milk the repeal of AIPPA and afterwards drop a similar or worse law. They are a deceptive lot.
That’s why people take the news with a huge dose of caution. They know the wisdom of the ancestors, that when you see a crocodile pulling a piece of cloth, leaving the man, it’s because the crocodile has a plan. Until we see the proposed replacement, there’s no cause for joy.
Killing AIPPA is one thing. It was long overdue and keeping it on the statute books was embarrassing. What comes after it is far more important and we will be waiting to see it and also subject it to scrutiny as responsible citizens ought to do.
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