the work Digital Surveillance in Southern Africa: Policies, Politics and Practicespublished in early 2023, looks at the digital surveillance systems in place in different Southern African countries. In South Africa, the subject is sensitive: several investigations have shown that the intelligence services have spied on, and even physically infiltrated, civil society organizations.
With our correspondent in Johannesburg, Claire Bargeles
A book, published in early 2023, looks at the digital surveillance systems in place in different southern African countries. Written by two researchers from the University of Johannesburg, in South Africa, it studies the different practices of the countries in the area for collecting data on citizens, and the risks that appear with the development of “smart cities” or fourth industrial revolution.
Admire Mare, one of the co-authors of Digital Surveillance in Southern Africa: Policies, Politics and Practicesdecrypted : “ The parties that are in power in this area of the continent are former independence struggle parties. And, as they lose influence, they resort to surveillance mechanisms to find out what their opponents think. There is a whole range of digital surveillance techniques that are used. But in this book, one of the trends that worries us the most is the development of “smart city”“. »
The researcher continues: For example, we are talking about what is happening in Lusaka, Zambia, where companies like Huawei or ZTE are winning very lucrative contracts to develop these smart cities. In Zimbabwe, we also observe the same evolution. There is also the deployment of surveillance cameras, supposedly to control crime. But, in South Africa, in particular, private companies then have in their possession quantities of data collected thanks to this. »
He concludes : ” The problem, in our opinion, is the lack of control. How are these data used? There may be ambitions other than just crime prevention. And we need to examine all this, before accepting that it is part of our daily life. »
In South Africa, civil society organizations have been spied on
In South Africa, the question of the control of the means of surveillance arises: several investigations into the management of the State, under the presidency of Jacob Zuma, showed that the intelligence services spied on, and even physically infiltrated, civil society organizations, outside any legal framework.
A report declassified this year gives some details. And, since these revelations, several associations are trying to find out more and protect themselves. Greenpeace is one of these organizations spied on and has opened a procedure before the courts, to ask the authorities for justifications.
” Transparency »
” What we are asking for is transparencylaunches Nhlanhla Sibisi, who is in charge of climate issues for the NGO. If we are considered a threat, as mentioned. What threat are we talking about? We consider that according to the Constitution and the laws of South Africa we have the right of association and we have the right to work as an NGO “.
The organization Right2Know is also concerned by this procedure and the activist Moeketsi Monaheng hopes for answers soon: “ If they can’t give a good reason for spying on us, or if they can’t provide results, that means anyone can use surveillance tools to block political space. »
Strengthen online security
What no longer feel safe for activists, especially those of the movement of informal neighborhoods Abahlali baseMjondolo which has seen twenty of its members murdered since its creation (in 2005). For its vice-president, Mqapheli Bonono, it is important to strengthen online security. ” We organize training, on how to be more careful, how important it is for example never to show your locationhe explains. We are also working on how to secure our offices, and the computers we use “.
Organizations also fear that such practices create distrust within them, and lower the commitment of their members.