Finance minister Mthuli Ncube says the money came in the form of a grant from Japan.  In addition to cash, Japan also donated cybersecurity equipment.  Mr. Ncube says the grant is another example of the deepening bilateral relations between the two countries.

“I am therefore grateful for the grant aid support from the government of Japan amounting to 390 million Japanese Yen (about $3.6 million) towards the procurement of cybercrime equipment,” Ncube said. “The grant will provide for the procurement of services necessary for the procurement and transportation of the product and training and other necessary services for the operation and maintenance of equipment for enhancing the ability to counter terrorism and public security”.

The equipment will be owned by the government of Zimbabwe through the Zimbabwe Republic Police and will be shared with the Interpol regional Bureau of Southern Africa which is headquartered in Harare.

Cybercrime such as card cloning has rapidly increased due to the use of electronic payment methods.

Information Communication Technology and Cybersecurity minister Kazembe Kazembe said the funding comes at a perfect time.  Zimbabwe leaders are currently crafting a new bill to deal with cyber-crime.

Japan’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Toshiyuki Iwado said his country will continue to support the southern African nation and also play a major role in the sustainable economic development in the region.