By Philip Buda Ladu
Cybercrimes and Computer Misuse Bill, 2024, has been tabled to the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) in its first reading stage for deliberation and enactment by lawmakers.
Deputy Minister of Justice, Joseph Malek, presented the bill to the August House during Monday’s assembly sitting No. 37/2024 chaired by the Rt. Hon. Speaker, Jemma Nunu Kumba.
Cybercrimes and computer misuse, the bill was first submitted to H.E. President Salva Kiir Mayardit when the transitional national legislature was not in session.
The president then assented to the Cybercrimes and Computer Misuse Provisional Order on May 7, 2021, in accordance with Article 86 of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan (TCRSS) 2011 (as amended), which says the president may, on an urgent matter, issue a provisional order having the force of law.
The aforementioned provisional order was also submitted to the TNLA on 14 April 2021 in accordance with Article 86, Sub-(2).
The same provisional order was purportedly rejected by the TNLA in their ordinary sitting No. 2/2023 in accordance with Article 86, Sub-(3) of the Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011 as amended.
Subsequently, a bill on the same subject matter may again be reintroduced before the transitional national legislative assembly and be considered under the normal procedure for the consideration of the bill in accordance with article 86, sub (4) of TCRSS 2011 as amended.
Deputy Minister Malek explained that the purpose of this bill is to protect and prevent any crime committed through computers, computer systems, the internet, or related activities.
This bill is drafted in accordance with provisions of Schedule (a) paragraph 45 of the transitional constitution of the Republic of South Sudan 2011 as amended.
“In conclusion, Rt. Hon. Speaker, Honorable Members, in light of forgoing, I hereby respectively submit the ‘Cybercrimes and Computer Misuse Bill, 2024’ to you after its approval by the National Council of Minister resolution No. 108/2023 in its regular meeting No. 22/2023 held on Friday, 3rd, November, 2023, for deliberations and enactment,” Malek submitted to the house.
Meanwhile, after the presentation, house speaker Nunu committed the bill to three standing specialized committees, including the Committee for Information, the Committee for Security and Public Order, and the Committee for Justice and Legislation, to scrutinize it and present their report to the house for further debate.
Additionally, the deputy minister of Justice, also presented to the TNLA the Southern Sudan Audit Chamber Act, 2011 (Amendment) Bill, 2022, in its first reading stage.
Eventually, after its presentation this bill was also referred to the standing specialized Committee for Public Accounts and the Committee of Justice and Legislation for scrutiny before it is presented back to the House for debate in its second reading stage.