Such was the message from Superitendent Ndabezinhle Moyo during the Computer Society of Zimbabwe, Harare chapter March function held at the Jameson Hotel yesterday entitled "Computer-assisted crime and the state of preparedness of Zimbabwe's law enforcement agencies". The event is one of the several monthly functions that the chapter organises and hosts for its members in Harare. Superitendent Ndabezinhle Moyo, who is a Serious Fraud Squad Investigator with more than 20 years of experience in the Police Force, a qualified Public Prosecutor and an expert in Cyber Crime Investigations, was accompanied by Detective Assistant Inspector Tom Muleya who is part of the same team albeit with a flair of Public Relations and Security Management, as they tackled the issue of cybercrime in the country and gave the Zimbabwe Security Forces perspective on the matter.

In explaining himself, Supt Moyo clarified that while everyone appears to be classifying cybercrime as a totally new phenomena requiring new legislation, documentation and treatment, the 'criminology syllabus' has been the same since the days of Rhodesia and Nyasaland. Only the terminology has changed but the basic aspects of deception and misrepresentation are very much the same. The use of the computer as a tool of the crime has misled people to believe that there is a new form of crime in the land but this was not the case. Members (and non-members) of the CSZ shared a good laugh as he likened the effect of viruses that open up ports to create vulnerabilities on a computer system to that of a malicious neighbour who damages a neighbouring farmer's fence to allow cattle to go in and feed on his crops.

Tuesday 21 February saw the holding of the 38th Annual General Meeting for the Computer Society of Zimbabwe (CSZ) at the Harare Club by the society's executive. The usual agenda was followed and the event went on smoothly. As has been characteristic of a couple of recent AGM's the turnout was very low indicating a low interest in such formal functions by the current membership.

As has also been the trend over the past few years (but may soon change following the on-going resurgence of the society), the first part of the AGM was the 37th Harare Chapter AGM which mainly comprised the Harare Chapter Chairman's report on the year 2011.

The Harare chapter chairman Mr Joseph Muchena outlined how, generally, 2011had been a good year. The Chapter's greatest achievement was to host the 2011 edition of the summer school in Victoria Falls quite successfully registering a record breaking attendance of over 150 delegates. He also extended his gratitude to Bulawayo chapter for their unwavering support and assistance at the event which inevitably cost them the opportunity to actually enjoy the event like the rest of the delegates. The Harare chapter also managed to hold their usual monthly functions where again the levels of attendance by both members and non-members have been on the increase, with the August function being the most attended as the Chapter run out of seats. The particular function was held under the theme Technologies for Future Communication. The Chapter also managed to host the IPMZ to talk about ICT project management, Mr Rashama from the UZ who presented on Entrepreneur Opportunities in the ICT industry, and Faith Nthabeni Bhebhe, who spoke on Stress Management to a very lively and receptive crowd.

The 2011 edition of the Society's annual Summer School came and went, but it will leave lingering memories on the participants' minds for a long time to come. Held in the majestic splendour of the country's premier tourist attraction and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, delegates had time to learn, exchange ideas, network, eat and drink right in the middle of the mighty Zambezi. Click here to view the photo gallery.

The International Federation for Information Processing celebrated 50 years of existence at its World Computer Congress in Brisbane Australia from 20 - 23 September. CSZ was represented by its president, Atwell Mukusha, past-president and IFIP representative Lawrence Gudza and director Geoff Fairall.