Johannesburg — Internet service providers (ISPs) in Zimbabwe could soon be forced to divulge the source of any e-mail deemed objectionable, unauthorised or obscene, the Cape Times reports.

The measure is reported to be part of President Robert Mugabe's government attempt to gag Internet and e-mail communication after it had successfully implemented a law to shut down most of the private media.

The new regulation means ISPs will have to sign a contract agreeing to co-operate with the government in tracing the sources of "offensive" e-mails. The regulation also forbids ISPs from undertaking any "anti-national activities". Most ISPs are resisting the government's censorship drive.