Zimbabwe’s Telecom Regulator, POTRAZ Wants to Track All Mobile Phones in an Effort to Combat Cybercrime

In Zimbabwe, the government is planning to keep track of every single mobile phone in the country. The Post and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, or POTRAZ for short, wants to do this to combat cybercrime. They believe that by collecting and storing the unique ID of each phone, known as the IMEI number, they can make mobile transactions safer and stop stolen phones from being used again.

POTRAZ wants to track all mobile phones to combat cybercrime, which sounds like a good idea at first. After all, countries like South Africa and Kenya already have similar systems in place. However, many Zimbabweans are worried that this isn’t just about fighting crime, it might also be about keeping an eye on people.

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There’s a history of surveillance in Zimbabwe that makes people nervous. Not long ago, there were rumors that the government could read WhatsApp messages. Whether or not this was true, it felt like a warning: “We’re watching you.” This new plan to register all mobile phones feels like part of a bigger pattern.

Some people remember past elections when there were rumors that the government could see who you voted for based on biometric voter data. It wasn’t true, but it was enough to scare people into being careful. Could this new system be used in a similar way? It’s hard not to wonder.

Even if you trust the government’s intentions, it’s not clear why they need to build another database. Mobile providers already collect IMEI numbers when you buy a phone or register a SIM card. Why do they need to store this information again? It seems unnecessary unless there’s another reason behind it.

Zimbabwe wants to track all mobile phones to combat cybercrime, but many people see this as more about surveillance than security. In a time when people are increasingly unhappy with the government, moves like this only add to the distrust. Whether or not this plan goes ahead, it’s sparking important conversations about privacy, control, and digital freedom in Zimbabwe.

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POTRAZ wants to track all mobile phones, but the question is, will this really make a difference in fighting cybercrime? Or will it just give the government more power to monitor its citizens? As mobile phones become more and more essential for daily life, finding a balance between security and privacy is crucial. For now, Zimbabweans are left wondering what this means for their future.

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