BY TAFADZWA KACHIKO
Government has imported 50 000 decoders for sale to Zimbabweans at US$15 for them to access local television stations for free.
This was revealed by Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services deputy minister Kindness Paradza during a brand Zimbabwe breakfast dialogue organised by the Zimbabwe Institute of Strategic Thinking in Harare.
Paradza said government did not want local stations to use MultiChoice’s DStv as host because this deprived others of accessing the media outlets.
“We want free to air because we want all Zimbabweans to watch. We have so far imported 50 000 set-top boxes so that you can watch all these stations at home just like what you do on DStv,” he said.
“These decoders are fetching US$15 and we are going to give some for free. This is just a phase.”
Paradza told media stakeholders that they were also allowed to import and sell the decoders to the people.
“All of you, especially in the media sector, bring set-top boxes and sell. We allow you to do that. Come to the ministry and we give you a letter to apply because the market doesn’t have these special decoders,” he said.
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“We have more than two million television sets in this country and more people are buying. If you’re selling that box for US$21, multiplied by two million, so it’s big business.
“Some of you are going to complain when Zimpapers Television Network buys these decoders, (crying) monopoly. I am telling you, go and bring them so that you don't say there is a monopoly.”
