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Harare - Zimbabwe’s government has given mobile network Telecel 30 days to wind down operations for allegedly breaching local empowerment regulations and for failing to pay its licence fees.
According to a statement released on Tuesday by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), Telecel Zimbabwe’s licence has been cancelled with effect from April 28 2015.
In order to facilitate the smooth switch of the Telecel Zimbabwe network as well as ensuring that disruption is minimised, POTRAZ issued a special licence to Telecel to continue providing telecommunications services for a period of 30 days.
“During this period, it is expected that Telecel Zimbabwe subscribers switch to alternative networks and those with credits on the Telecash Mobile money platform would make good their position,” said Potraz.
A further 60 days - after switching off - has been given to Telecel Zimbabwe to decommission their telecommunication equipment.
“It should be underlined that the telecommunication equipment remains Telecel Zimbabwe’s property. It is up to Telecel Zimbabwe to decide what to do with the equipment,” Potraz said.
In terms of Section 96 of the Postal and Telecommunications Act, Telecel Zimbabwe may appeal to the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services should they be aggrieved by POTRAZ’s decision on this matter.
However, the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services Supa Mandiwanzira was the first to announce the cancellation of Telecel’s licence last month.
Telecel, a subsidiary of Orascom Telecom Company has a 60% stake in Telecel Zimbabwe while the remaining 40% is held by Empowerment Corporation made up of local Zimbabweans.
