Just In: Mnangagwa approves Starlink licensing by POTRAZ
President says development will enable the provision of advanced internet and related digital proccessing service in Zimbabwe.
Harare-PRESIDENT Emmerson Mnangagwa has approved the licensing of Starlink by POTRAZ, Express Mail Zim can report.
Mnangagwa made the long awaited announcement via a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle.
He said this development will enable the provision of advanced internet and related digital proccessing service in Zimbabwe.
The sole and exclusive local partner is IMC Communications whose ownership could not be immediately ascertained although speculative reports suggest that a youthful businessman (name withheld), with strong political links and global business network is one of the directors.
A quick google search on the company yielded no results on the directorship but rather led to a marketing company of the same name said to have been founded by one Zviko Hilton Munda.
Starlink is a satellite internet constellation developed by SpaceX, providing high-speed internet connectivity globally, even in remote locations.
Intrestingly, illegal possession of a Starlink router is one of the three charges levelled against incarcarated local businessman Neville Mutsvangwa who is alleged to have imported the gadgets from neighbouring Zambia.
Unfortunately, Mutsvangwa is not off the hook since the law cannot be applied retrospectively leaving him in the same predicament but however guided by the presumption of innocence principle.
Prior to the recent announcement, there has been a lot scepticism with responsible ministers mumbling and were at pains to explain goverment standpoint in several interviews by the media.
Analysts said such an approval was above the pay cheque of the ICT and Informatioñ ministers, and many a citizen welcomed this developmental move by Mnangagwa.
Hereunder is President Mnangagwa’s announcement:
