Draft SI — DNS Registration & Management Regulations
DNSSI · v1 · release faf85cbc
cdpg
non binding
published 2026-07-30
reviewer-approved transcription
Educational information — not legal advice.Sanitised transcription for research. The linked PDF remains the authoritative source; consult a qualified practitioner for advice on specific facts.
Source PDF: Associated Policies/DNS Registration and Management/Draft SI DNS Registration and Management Regulations.pdf
Faithful, unedited text-layer extraction for quotation. Page markers preserve pagination.
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Statutory Instrument ……of 2022
[CAP. 12:05]
Postal and Telecommunications (Domain Names Registration and Management) Regulations, 2022
ARRANGEMENT OF SECTIONS
Section
1. Title
2. Interpretation
3. Application
4. Establishment of the National Domain Names Registry
5. Functions of the National Domain Names Registry
6. Procedure for appointment of Domain Name Registrars
7. Obligations of Accredited Registrars
8. Suspension and termination of Accredited Registrars
9. Domain name assignment and classification
10. General Principles and Rules applicable to Domain Name Registration
11. Requirements and Procedure for Domain Name Registration
12. Delegation of domain names
13. Transfer of Domain names
14. Renewal of Domain names
15. Cancellation of Domain names
16. Changes of domain names and authorisation
17. Licences and fees
18. Processing and protection of Personal data by the Registry
19. Rights and Obligations of Domain Name Holders
20. Exemption from liability for damages
21. Procedure for dispute resolution between holders and the registry
22. Dispute resolution between holder and third parties
23. Transitional provisions
24. Offences and penalties
Schedules: First schedule - Applicable fees for Appointment of Registrars Second Schedule - Assignment and classification of domain names Third Schedule -Applicable fees for registration of domain names
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IT is hereby notified that the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services has, in terms of section 99 (2) of the Postal and Telecommunication Act [Chapter 12:05], after consultation with the Authority, made the following regulations:—
Title
1.These regulations may be cited as the Postal and Telecommunications (Domain Names Registration and Management) Regulations, 2022.
Interpretation
2. In these regulations-
“Accredited Registrar” means a legal entity that has been accredited by The Domain Name Registry to register, delete, add, modify or change domain names under .zw domain space; “Applicant” means a natural person or legal entity submitting a request for registration of a domain name; “Appointed Registrar” means the Registrar for a specific domain name appointed by the Holder, for a specific Contact, appointed by the Contact concerned, for a specific Name server Set, appointed by the technical Contact of the name servers, or for a specific Key Set, appointed by the Contact of the Key Set concerned. A single Appointed Registrar set for every registered domain name, Contact, Name server Set and Key Set; “Bad usage of a domain name” means usage of a domain name: i. primarily for the purpose of selling the domain name to a party holding a right validly recognized or established in Zimbabwe; ii. to prevent the holder of a validly recognized or established name in Zimbabwe from obtaining this domain name; iii. primarily for the purpose of disrupting the business of a competitor; iv. to attract Internet users, for commercial gain, to a web site by creating a likelihood of confusion with a name corresponding to a right validly recognized or established in Zimbabwe, such likelihood relating to the source, sponsorship, affiliation, or endorsement of the web site; or v. for which there is no demonstrable link between the holder and the domain name registered; “Central Register” means a database of domain names, their holders and other persons, administered by The Registry. The Central Register is the source for domain name delegation into the .zw zone, administered by the primary name server; “Contact” means the record of a specific person (natural or legal) maintained in the Central Registry. A Contact may be administrative, technical or in the Holder’s role; “Day of Expiration” means the day following the day on which the expiration of the registered domain name occurs; “Day of Registration” means the day when the registration of the domain name in the Central Register occurs;
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“Delegated Domain Name” means a registered domain name for which The Registry maintains a record on the primary name server (“zw zones”); “Domain Name” means second-level or third-level domain consisting of a combination of permissible characters in respect of electronic addresses or other resource on the internet; “EPP” means Extensible Provisioning Protocol; “GDPR” means the General Data Protection Regulation of the European Union; “Holder” means a natural person or legal entity who registered the domain name. If the name of the company or organization is not included in the record, the person who submitted the request for the Domain Name, is considered the Holder. If the name of the company or organization is included, it is considered to be the Holder; “ICANN” means Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers; “IETF” means Internet Engineering Task Force; “Key Set” means a record file containing at least one DS (Delegation Signer) record according to RFC4034 on DNS Security intended for secure delegation of the domain name by means of the Domain Name System Security Extension(DNSSEC) technology and at least one technical Contact; “Name server Set” means a record file containing at least 2 name servers and at least one technical Contact; “POTRAZ” or “The Regulator” or “The Authority” means the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe; “Registrar” means a subject entitled to access in a defined way, the Central Register and submits requests for the changes of records administered by the Central Register. All changes of the Central Register can be done only through a Registrar; “Registry” or “The Registry” means an authorized organization for .zw domain name space management; “Rules for Dispute Resolution” means a document published by The Registry, containing the Holder’s public proposal of dispute resolution, which forms an integral part of the Rules for domain name registration; “Rules for Registration” means the document “Rules of Domain Names Registration under .zw ccTLD” published by The Registry and The Authority; “SLD” means Second Level Domain which may be .gov.zw; .ac.zw; .net.zw; .org.zw; .co.zw; and any other, that may be created by The Authority through rules and regulations; “System Registrar” means an accredited registrar who can conduct domain name registrations with zero credit. “.zw ccTLD” means country code Top Level Domain (top-level domain, also called the national domain) of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
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Application
3.(1) These regulations apply to every registration of the country code Top Level Domain also called the national domain of the Republic of Zimbabwe.
Establishment of the National Domain Names Registry
4.(1) The Authority shall designate or establish a Registry to be known as the National Domain Names Registry, to facilitate the registration of domain names with .zw country code.
(2)The Registry shall be an entity licenced by the Authority as an Application Services Provider to manage the .zw ccTLD.
(3)The primary servers of the Registry shall be in Zimbabwe housed at any Data Centre that connects to the Harare Internet Exchange (HIX) and shall have regional or international redundancy.
Functions of the National Domain Names Registry
5.(1). The Registry established in terms of section 5 shall be responsible for:
(a)creation of an interactive domain name management platform based on the current EPP standards, or any standards provided as directed by the Authority from time to time.
(b)Accreditation of domain name Registrars.
(c)In consultation with the Authority, develop and publish policy and guidelines concerning the .zw domain name space
d)Developing a comprehensive dispute resolution mechanism in consultation with the Authority. (e). Activating, de-activating accredited Registrars’ rights to use the system.
(f)take reasonable steps to protect personal data of domain name holders from loss, misuse, unauthorised access or disclosure, alteration and destruction.
(g)Keep records of all domain names registered in Zimbabwe.
(h)providing technical support services to accredited registrars.
(i)keeping a record of reserved name list, that is, the list comprising names that cannot be registered by the public, unless there is express authorization by relevant authorities such as:
(i)Country Names;
(ii)City names;
(iii)Constitutional Authorities;
(iv)Provinces;
(v)Government Departments names;
(vii)Specific geographic significant names;
(viii)National Monuments, dams, mountains;
(I)facilitating efficient communication between the Registry and that of accredited registrars and in particular ensuring;
(i)session management;
(ii)domain registrations;
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(iii)domain updates;
(iv)domain renewals;
(v)domain deletions;
(vi)domain queries; and
(vii)domain transfers.
Procedure for appointment of Domain Name Registrars
6.(1). No person shall register domain names unless he/she is accredited by the National Domain Name Registrar established in terms of section 5.
(2)An application for accreditation shall be made to the Registrar in a manner prescribed from time to time and shall be accompanied by the following documents;
(i)Certified copies of company registration documents;
(ii)Business profile; and
(iv)Any other document that the Authority may request
(3)Within 30 days of receipt of the Application, the Authority shall consider the application and make a decision to accredit an applicant as an Accredited Registrar or reject the application.
(4)An Accredited Registrar shall pay administration and licence fees outlined in the First Schedule, to the National Registrar as stipulated from time to time.
(5)The Registrar shall issue an Accreditation certificate to an Accredited Registrar
Obligations of Accredited Registrars
7.(1). An Accredited Registrar shall:
(a)Upon application, register domain names and the modification of information associated therewith, in accordance with procedures set out in these regulations;
(b)verify the accuracy of all information and data provided by a holder before submitting them to the Registry
(c)manage relationship with Domain Name Holders through an agreement approved by the Authority.
(d)not disclose personal data of registered domain name holders to any third party, unless required by law.
(e)ensuring that personal data stored is not accessible, disclosed or published, without the consent of the data subject. An accredited registrar e .zw zone will be divided into sub domains at the second level for the easy management and identification of services and owners. (2). keep records of all registered domain names and the holder’s details and transmit the same, to the Domain Name Registry within twenty- one (21) days registration.
Suspension and termination of Accredited Registrars
8.(1). The Registry may suspend the operations of an Accredited Registrar if;
(i)The Accredited Registrar fails to comply with the provisions of these regulations in particular;
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(a)fails to pay licence or other regulatory fees prescribed from time to time
(b)breaches data protection protocols set by the Registrar
(c)makes changes in the central registry without notifying the respective holders of domain names under the .zw zone (2). The suspension or termination of an Accredited Registrar’s certificate shall not result in the suspension of domain names registered through the Accredited Registrar, but shall designate other accredited registrars. (3). An Accredited Registrar who is aggrieved by the decision of the National Registry, may appeal to the Authority.
Domain name assignment and classification
9.(1). The country domain name shall be divided into sub domains at the second level as outlined in the Second Schedule. (2). Unlimited generic .zw registrations shall be opened to the public at the second level at a premium. (3). Unlimited generic 3rd level registrations will be open to the public under .co.zw, .org.zw and .net.zw (4). The sub-domains gov.zw, and .ac.zw & .edu.zw shall be reserved for the Government and Educational institutions respectively, Registrations at the 3rd level in these sub-domains shall be carried out by the Government, or an institution identified by the Government or only authorised accredited registrars, are able to register domains under these subdomains. (5). One or two-character domain registration shall not be allowed at the 2nd and 3rd levels for use by the general public.
General Principles and Rules on Domain Name Registration
10.(1). Domain name registration shall be listing service that operates on a “first come, first served” basis.
(2)Domain name applicants shall be identifiable legal entities, with the necessary legal capacity to conclude a registration agreement with the registrar
(3)Misrepresentation on entitlement to register or use a domain name, may result in action from others who claim rights to the domain name.
(4)Trademark owners, registered companies and owners of intellectual property, have a legitimate interest in protecting their brands. In the event of a conflict, priority is given to them. (5).Domain parking is discouraged. The registry is mandated to employ tools and means of identifying parked domains and de-registering them.
(6)Domain names have international reach, and as such they are subject to international rules and ICANN and IETF Regulations on domain names (7). Domain Names must conform to regulations RFC 1034, 1035, 1122, 1123 and any regulations superseding or amending these. This concerns especially the following conditions:
(i)Domain Name may contain only characters [a-z,0-9,-] only; (ii). The maximum Domain Name Length is not more than 63 characters;
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(iii)A Domain Name must not begin or end with “-“ character;
(iv)A Domain Name must not contain two “-“ characters in sequence.
Requirements and Procedure for Domain Name Registration
11.(1). Any person wishing to register a domain name shall apply to an accredited registrar. (2). An application for a domain registration shall be accompanied by the following information;
(a)Registrant name / company name;
(ii)Registrant address;
(iii)Registrant’s contact numbers;
(v)Registrant email address;
(vi)Copy of Registrant ID / or Company Documents (3). The Accredited Registrar is obliged to obtain the consent of every Applicant before registering a domain on the registry platform. (4). The following is considered to be a valid consent: (i). A Domain Name registration order has been placed, (ii). The price has been paid for the Domain Name registration or, if relevant, for any other service that the Registrar may connect with registering the Domain Name, (iii). The Holder has begun to use a Domain Name, or
(iv)The Holder has effected any other act toward the Registrar or Registry, provided that such an act pertains to changing records on the given Domain Name, that are kept in the Central Registry. (5). Registrars shall register the Domain Names according to the order in which the individual registration requests submitted through the Registrars, were delivered. Registrars must file the records of every received registration request. (6).A Domain Name is registered for one year beginning on the Day of Registration of the Domain Name and renewed annually. (7). Upon the registration of a Domain Name, the registration fee shall be due and payable by the applicant to the Registrar. (8). The Registry shall register the Domain Name if: (i). The registration request form does not contain any imperfections preventing it from further processing;
(ii)The existing Domain Name has been assigned with an existing Contact in the role of the Holder;
(iii)All required information has been properly filled in and verified by the Registry;
(iv)The Applicant agreed with the current version of the Rules of Registration and Rules for Dispute Resolution;
(v)The requested Domain Name is not, at the time of processing of the request, registered in the Central Register;
(vi)The requested Domain Name conforms to the regulations for the creation of Domain Names.
(vii)The Applicant has paid the prescribed fees.
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(9)A grace period of 45 days shall apply to new registrations so as to enable Accredited registrars to cancel the registration and claim a partial refund of the domain name registration fee, minus a nominal administrative charge.
(10)Upon expiry of the grace period, the domain name shall be removed from the registry data base and becomes available for anyone else to register and the Registry will process a refund to the Accredited Registrar’s account.
(11)An applicant for a Domain Name shall not be able to transfer the management of the Applicant’s domain name to another Accredited Registrar during the grace period.
Delegation of Domain names
12. (1) The Registry may delegate a registered Domain Name, to which a minimum of one
Nameserver set is assigned.
(2)Prior to delegation, the Registry shall conduct manual or automated periodic technical inspections of nameservers in the Nameserver Set and of DS (Delegation Signer) records in the Key Set assigned to the Domain Name, in order to make sure that there is no lame delegation. (3). Domain Name delegation ceases immediately upon cancellation of the registered Domain Name even if a Nameserver Set is still assigned to it
Transfer of Domain names
13. (1). The Registry may transfer a Domain Name to a new Holder upon a written request
submitted by the Domain Name Holder, through the Accredited Registrar of the given Domain Name. (2). The Registrar shall obtain the written consent of the future Holder of the domain before transfer. (3). Upon transfer no refund of the applicable fees paid or any part thereof shall arise from the transfer of the Domain Name. (4). The transfer of the Domain Name does not affect its validity.
Renewal of Domain names
14. (1). A Domain Name Holder may apply for renewal of his/her domain name before
expiration. Registration is effected through an Accredited Registrar. (2). An application for renewal of a Domain Name shall be filed with the Accredited Registrar, in the prescribed format.
(3)The Domain name holder shall pay applicable renewal fees contained in the Third Schedule. (4). A renewal may be for a period longer than the tenure granted at the initial registration of the Domain Name.
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Cancellation of domain names
15.(1) The Registry may cancel the registration of a Domain Name on the following grounds;
(a)upon receiving a request from the domain holder through the Accredited Registrar of the Domain Name.
(b)The Domain Name that is worded contrary to the Zimbabwean Culture and values, or domain names that incite violence and instability.
(c)where that name is identical or confusingly similar to a name in respect of which a right is recognized or established by national laws; or where;
(d)such name has been registered by its holder without rights or legitimate interest in the name; or has been registered or is being used in bad faith.
(2). Upon cancellation of a domain name no refund of the paid fee or any part thereof arising from cancellation of the registration, shall accrue to the Holder of a Domain Name.
(3)Domain names that have been cancelled cannot be reinstated but can only be re-registered In accordance with the new registration procedure.
Changes of domain names and authorisation
16.(1). The Registry may change or modify domain name data, upon request by the Holder of a Domain name, provided that the Domain Name is not changed. (2). The Registry shall modify data in the Central Registry Zones or database, upon request by the persons that are stated for each of the Domain Names, Contacts, Nameserver Sets, and Key Sets, as the persons authorized to make such changes, provided that, the request is submitted through the Accredited Registrar.
(3)The following characteristics are permissible for modification:
(ii)Administrative Contact
(iii)Accredited Registrar
(iv)Nameserver Set
(v)Contact for the existing Key Set
(vi)Key Set Holder
(vii)Technical contact
(viii)Transfer Holder and the new Holder
(ix)Delegation Signer (SD) record Technical Contact
(x)Domain Name Holder’s email, telephone and physical address.
(4)Contact data may be changed by means of the Accredited Contact Registrar. Item name Contact entitled to confirm the change Identifier cannot be changed.
Licences and administration fees
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17.(1).The fees for domain name registration by the Accredited Registrar to the Holder, is set by an agreement between the Registrar and the Holder and shall not exceed the published amount. (2). The Registry will apply a base tariff for domain name registration, as provided in Third
Schedule.
Processing and protection of Personal data by the Registry
18. (1) The Registry in consultation with the Authority, and guided by the Zimbabwe
Protection laws, shall issue guidelines on the protection of personal data from time to time. (2). The Registry shall keep data for non-Zimbabwean nationals, in line with the provisions of the Zimbabwe Data Protection laws. (3). A person applying for the registration of a Domain Name, Holder or Contact, or an application for changing data pertaining to a Domain Name, Holder or Contact: (a). Grants by lodging such an application his/her consent the processing of his/her personal data specified in the application for the purpose of maintaining and administering the Central Register, as well as for making certain data public, through the mediation of the Internet within the framework of information services rendered by the Registry. (b). is liable for the correctness of all data specified in the registration application pertaining to persons mentioned in such an application and declares that these are not cover or fake names, that such a person has obtained consent from all persons whose personal data are to be recorded in the Registry on the basis of the application and undertakes to obtain such consent in the event of any changes of such persons or data pertaining to such persons. (c). is obliged to report any changes of the data submitted to the Registry through the mediation of the Registrar without any undue delay. (d). is obliged to act in such way that in consequence of his/her doing, no duplicate records of Contacts arise. (4). The Registry shall provide information marked in the Register as hidden, to the state administrative bodies and to other relevant authorities, only in compliance with the law and within the framework of their official activity. (5). The Registry may at its discretion, to optimize the information kept in the Central Register merge Contact records differing only by the identifier of the Contact. In the case that The Registry performs such a merger, all links of the merged Contacts to the Domain Names, Nameserver Sets, and Key Sets will be preserved, so that these links are transferred onto the Contact with which the other Contacts were merged with. (6). The Registry shall make sure that the affected persons are notified by The Registrar of such a merger.
(7)The Registry shall accept technical measures aimed at limiting harm and ensuring that the operation and stability of its systems are maintained, even if such measures may lead to limitations of availability of the DNS Registry services, functioning of the registered Domain Names, and name servers.
(8)The Registry shall not bear any responsibility for the damages incurred, but it is obliged to make every effort that may be reasonably required to terminate such measures as soon as possible.
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Rights and Obligations of Domain Name Holders
19.The Holder of a Domain Name shall:
(1)Have the right to use that name during the validity of the registration
(2)Provide the Accredited Registrar with accurate and reliable information on domain registration and update them, as necessary.
Exemption from liability for damages
20.(1) No liability shall attach to the Authority, The Registry or the Accredited, or to any of their employees or the Board, or to a member of the Board or any committee of the Board, for any loss or damage sustained by any person as a result of the bona fide exercise or performance of any function which by or in terms of these regulations. Provided that this section shall not be construed so as to prevent any person from recovering compensation for any loss or damage sustained by him which was caused by gross negligence. (2). The Holder of a domain name shall be liable for damages caused to The Registry or Accredited Registrar for providing incorrect or misleading data or using a Domain Name contrary to the Rules of Registration or in a manner infringing third parties’ rights.
Procedure for dispute resolution between holders and the registry
21.(1) In the event of any dispute between the Accredited Registrar and Registrant, the dispute shall first be referred to The Registry, and if no amicable solution is found, the issue shall be referred to the Authority and if an amicable solution is again not found, the issue may be referred for mediation and or Arbitration by relevant parties.
(2). In the event of any dispute between The Registry and domain holder, the dispute shall first be referred for mediation and or Arbitration by The Authority.
(3). Where such dispute is not resolved amicably, the parties may refer such dispute to the courts under the laws of Zimbabwe.
Dispute resolution between holder and third parties
22. (1). The Registry shall develop a comprehensive dispute resolution framework in
consultation with The Authority. (2). In the event of a dispute between the Holder of a domain name and third parties, the Holder shall make every effort that may reasonably be required from him/her to achieve an amicable settlement of disputes concerning Domain Names and/or their registrations that might arise between the Holder and other persons. (3). Where the parties fail to settle the dispute in an amicable way, they may refer the dispute to the courts. (4). Upon request by all parties in dispute, The Authority may act as a mediator in pursuit of an amicable settlement of the dispute. (5). The Registry shall enforce the final decision in accordance with these regulations.
