Mnangagwa Recruits Online Foot Soldiers To Monitor Internet Activities.

Zimbabwe’s government, under President Emmerson Mnangagwa has launched a controversial National Cybersecurity Training Programme aimed at recruiting and training 10 000 young Zimbabweans to act as online monitor.

While officially described as a step towards empowering youth with digital defence skills, many critics warn this is a state-driven effort to expand surveillance and tighten control over Internet and Social media activities.

ICT Minister Tatenda Mavetera announced the initiative, calling it “a proud moment for Zimbabwe and describing the programme as groundbreaking “.

However the training has sparked fears that these recruits-dubbed “varakashi” will serve as government aligned footsoldiers tasked with policing online expressions and dissent.

Mavetera said the programme will equip youth to become “ethical hackers,Cybersecurity analysis and guardian of our digital future”.yet

Zimbabwe’s record of suppressing dissent raises doubts about whether these “guardians ” will protect citizens or enforce censorship.

The Minister also highlighted scholarship provided through partnership with Cybers and Komib Foundation, aimed at youth across the SADC region. We are also offering an initial 160 scholarships for youth across the SADC region, opening doors to a global industry set to exceed USD 200 billion, He said critics question how many will benefit and suspect the bulk of Trainees will be co-oped into State surveillance roles.

Mavetera insisted the programme is about building “a Zimbabwe that doesn’t just consume technology but leads it and called on young Zimbabwean and SADC youth to “step up get trained, and shape the future with us,”for many observers, however this future is one of increased government monitoring and digital control rather than genuine empowering.