This
follows
the
recent
licensing
of
Elon
Musk’s
company
to
roll
out
the
novel
internet
service
in
Zimbabwe
by
the
government.
The
entry
of
the
satellite
internet
service
provider
into
Zimbabwe’s
telecoms
space
has
opened
up
demand
for
its
kit
as
more
locals
seek
affordable
and
more
reliable
connectivity.
However,
in
a
Tuesday
statement,
POTRAZ
Director
General
Gift
Kallisto
Machengete
pronounced
a
ban
in
the
sale
of
Starlink
kit
without
a
licence.
“It
is
a
condition
of
the
Starlink
licences
that
such
agencies,
dealers
and
ISPs
shall
be
subject
to
clearance
by
POTRAZ.
“This
condition
applies
to
both
existing
and
prospective
ISPs
and
Network
Operators.
The
sale
or
distribution
of
Starlink
User
Terminals
without
appropriate
licensing
and
clearance
is,
therefore,
an
offence
punishable
by
law,”
Machengete
said.
Meanwhile,
Zimbabwe’s
government
has
introduced
hefty
fines
of
up
to
$5,000
for
poor
service
in
the
country’s
telecommunications
industry.
In
a
statement
Tuesday,
ICT
Minister
Tatenda
Mavetera
said
the
government
will
levy
fines
of
between
$200
and
$5,000
per
infringement
for
telecommunications
companies
and
internet
providers
who
fail
to
give
reliable
service.