In an increasingly digital world, the protection of personal data and the regulation of cyber activities are crucial for safeguarding individual privacy and maintaining trust in technology.
Zimbabwe’s Statutory Instrument (SI) 155 of 2024 <a href="https://www.techzim.co.zw/zimbabwe-cyber-and-data-protection-act/">Cyber and Data Protection Licensing Regulations</a> was promulgated into law on the 13th September 2024 outlining a framework for the appointment of Data Protection Officers (DPOs). Known as the Cyber and Data Protection (Licensing of Data Controllers and Appointment of Data Protection Officers) Regulations, 2024 (hereafter “SI 155”), these rules set clear standards for entities handling personal data. The new requirements included the appointment of a Data Protection Officer.
The deadline for businesses and organizations to comply with the Cyber and Data Protection Act and appoint a Data Protection Officer (DPO) is March 12, 2025, exactly six months after the promulgation of the Cyber and Data Protection (Licensing of Data Controllers and Appointment of Data Protection Officers) Regulations 2024 on September 13, 2024.
Many businesses have been scurrying to beat the set deadline for compliance. This is because non-compliance with SI 155 of 2024 can result in various penalties, including fines, suspension, or revocation of licenses. Organizations and individuals found in violation of the regulations may face legal actions and sanctions. In some drastic instances, the Regulations state that failure to comply with the regulations can result in fines of up to level 11 (approximately $5,000) or imprisonment for up to seven years, or both. Is your business now compliant with SI 155 of 2024?
Lenon Itai Rwizi is a Registered Legal Practitioner of the Superior Courts of Zimbabwe and can be contacted on: +263 774 159 146, +263 713 967 341 or <a href="mailto:lenonrwizi@gmail.com">lenonrwizi@gmail.com</a>. The above write up does not constitute formal legal advice, and neither does not create any type of attorney-client relationship. Please seek legal advice by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057530166769">contacting the writer</a> ) or any attorney of your choice.

Pindula News

Zimbabwe has new rules to protect people's personal data and regulate cyber activities. Businesses need to appoint a Data Protection Officer by March 12, 2025, or they could face penalties like fines or even imprisonment. The rules are set to maintain trust in technology and protect individual privacy. Some businesses are rushing to comply before the deadline. The new law is important for businesses in Zimbabwe to follow to avoid getting in trouble. If you need legal advice, contact a Registered Legal Practitioner in Zimbabwe for help.

D-Day for Businesses in Zimbabwe to Comply with the Cyber and Data Protection Act

Distributed Power Africa (DPA), has announced an agreement to install rooftop solar at key properties for the National Railways of Zimbabwe Contributory Pension Fund nationwide.
DPA is the renewable energy business of the leading pan- African technology group Cassava Technologies.
Combined, the installations at various locations of the NRZ Pension Fund clients will total 5.3MW, making this one of DPA’s most notable projects to date.
Moreover, with a projected annual energy production of 5.59GWh, the project will contribute significantly towards relieving the grid.
The electricity deficit on the continent has increased the demand for organisations investing in alternative and renewable energy. This has resulted in DPA speeding up the rollout of renewable energy solutions for customers across various sectors in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa.
Commenting on the agreement, Divyajeet Mahajan, CEO of DPA Zimbabwe, said:
<blockquote>
We are delighted to be working with the National Railways of Zimbabwe Contributory Pension Fund.
The growing awareness among businesses to adopt reliable and cleaner energy is encouraging as it highlights the increasing consciousness towards meeting sustainability goals.
We are ready to partner with our clients to deliver solutions that meet their energy needs, especially with the current load-shedding situation in the country.
</blockquote>
The National Railways of Zimbabwe Contributory Pension Fund manages a portfolio of properties across the country, including retail space and office buildings.
Installing solar power will ensure occupants have a more reliable and uninterrupted power supply. Concluded Takunda Madanha, Chairman of the NRZ Contributory Pension Fund Board:
<blockquote>
This partnership with DPA fulfills our mission as the Pension fund to manage the Fund in a way that is efficient and responsible.
By switching to solar energy, we will save over 2,192 tons of carbon emissions annually, which will help us meet our obligations to our members, our tenants, and the environment.
</blockquote>

Renewable Energy Company Partners With NRZ Pension Fund

Distributed Power Africa (DPA), the renewable energy company of Cassava Technologies, received two awards at the Zimbabwe Solar Week Leadership Awards 2022 held at the Holiday Inn in Harare on Thursday, 1 December.
The first award was in the Best Solar Project of the Year category and the second award was for their Chief Executive Officer in Zimbabwe, Divyajeet Mahajan, who was named CEO of The Year.
The Zimbabwe Solar Week Leadership Awards were hosted by Solar Quarter – one of the largest solar energy sector media in Asia-Pacific &amp; Africa.
The awards brought together over 150 top decision-makers in green power to discuss the vast business opportunities present in Zimbabwe’s growing energy sector. 
The event was attended by project developers, solar EPC companies, equipment manufacturers, service and technology providers, as well as consulting firms.
DPA was recognised for its accelerated rollout of renewable energy solutions under Mahajan’s leadership in Zimbabwe. Commenting on the awards, Mahajan said:
<blockquote>
We thank the organisers of the Zimbabwe Solar Week Leadership Awards for this recognition.
It is heartening to be recognised by industry peers. We are expanding our DPA footprint to support the increasing number of clients that are seeking more reliable, cleaner energy.
These awards give us further motivation to keep delivering solutions that increase efficiencies for our Commercial and Industrial customers, in whatever sector they are.
</blockquote>
Demand for alternative energy is growing across Africa, including in Zimbabwe, due to power shortages in the region.
This has seen DPA scaling up the deployment of energy solutions to a varied range of new clients, across sectors such as mining, retail, manufacturing, and agriculture.

Renewable Energy Company DPA Receives Two Solar Energy Awards

Energy and Power Development Minister, Fortune Chasi, has commended Distributed Power Africa (DPA), an Econet Wireless subsidiary for taking the lead in pushing for the use of solar energy.
Chasi was touring DPA’s recently commissioned solar power plant at Econet’s Willowvale office complex in Harare, he said:
<blockquote>I would like to congratulate the Econet group and DPA for taking the lead in driving the use and adoption of renewable energy which reduces the load on the national power grid.
… The government fully supports the use of solar power and sees the adoption of renewable energy as a sustainable, clean and long-term option to the challenges of inadequate power supply.
… solar energy can alleviate the country’s dependence on both hydro-power energy and non-renewable fossil fuels, and it can significantly reduce the importation of energy and save scarce foreign currency, which can be used for other national developmental programmes.</blockquote>
Econet Wireless Zimbabwe group CEO Mr Douglas Mboweni said that his company is encouraged by the support rendered to the private sector by the government.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.chronicle.co.zw/renewable-energy-way-to-go-adv-chasi/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chronicle</a></h4>

Minister Chasi Commends Econet For Driving The Use Of Solar Energy

Distributed Power Africa (DPA) plans to have 150 megawatts of installed capacity from solar energy in the next five years.
The Econet Wireless Global subsidiary has focused on the production of environmentally-friendly energy.
Addressing journalists in Bulawayo last week after the launch of the Econet Bulawayo office, DPA Zimbabwe chief executive officer Divyajeet Mahajan said:
<blockquote>Econet has already committed $250 million to this initiative for different customers. We started this journey with Econet being the parent company, all of the Econet offices are going green, already five or six buildings have already gone green and some of the buildings are in the process of going green.
We have also signed external clients, we are doing around 20 projects now and overall, in the next three to five years, we should be doing around 100 to 150 megawatts of installed capacity. 100MW is our target for the next three to five years.</blockquote>
Mahajan revealed that DPA currently has more than one megawatt of installed capacity and that it is eying 80 megawatts in the next three months.
<h4>More: <a href="https://www.newsday.co.zw/2019/05/dpa-targets-100mw-in-5-years/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Newsday</a></h4>

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