The Zimbabwe government and the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) have banned African pay-television broadcaster Kwesé TV from operating in the country.
Kwesé TV, operated by telecommunications company Econet Media, has already launched in a number of African countries and recently revealed plans to also go live in Zimbabwe.
This week, Econent mobile subscribers in Zimbabwe have received messages informing them of special offers to subscribe to Kwesé TV.
However, according to the NewZimbabwe.com website, the BAZ has now said that Kwesé TV does not have the relevant licence to broadcast in Zimbabwe.
Obert Muganyura, chief executive of the BAZ, confirmed the authority’s decision in a statement, referencing a partnership between Econet and a company called Dr. Dish.
Econet agreed to offer Kwesé TV in Zimbabwe through the partnership with Dr. Dish, which is licensed by the BAZ.
However, Muganyura has warned that this licence does not cover Kwesé TV.
“The content distribution licence issued to Dr. Dish, which was specific to the provision of the My TV Africa Service, as declared by Dr. Dish in its application, and stated in the terms and conditions of the licence, was cancelled by the authority for failure by Dr. Dish to provide service,” the statement said.
“BAZ, therefore, wishes to advise the public not to invest in a service that cannot be produced without a licence and warns anyone who may contemplate providing an unlicensed broadcasting service to acquaint themselves with the course of action that the authority is bound to take in terms of law.”
Kwesé TV has picked up rights to a host of major sports events in recent months, including the Uefa Euro 2020 European national football team tournament.