By Chisomo Phiri
The battle between MultiChoice Malawi and the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) keeps on widening as now MACRA demands over 19-million-kwacha unpaid license fees from Multichoice Malawi.
According to MACRA, the amount is required to be paid back within 30 days.
This follows a notice of withdraw of DSTV services in Malawi which Multichoice issued after a high court injunction stopped the company from adjusting upwards tariffs.
Through the letter that 247 Malawi has in possession, MACRA Director General Daud Suleman has further ordered Multichoice Malawi to submit its Audited statements for 2022 for calculation of 2022 levies.
The company has also been told to put in place measures to ensure smooth exit, especially regarding how refunds to consumers would be made, especially those that would have paid beyond the shutdown date as well as compensation to consumers for the proprietary DStv equipment that will become obsolete after the shutdown date.
“In light of the service withdrawal, we expect Multichoice Malawi to communicate with us regarding your next steps towards fulfilling your SMS license, which will be impacted by Multichoice Africa’s withdrawal of its DSTV services,” says Suleman in a letter.
He adds :”You are further advised that once the voluntary revocation is completed, any broadcasting without an applicable license issued by the Authority is an offence under Section 187 of the Communications Act and that the Authority will not hesitate to take appropriate action against you in line with the Act against anyone who conducting illegal broadcasts.”
But in his comment on the matter, Consumers Associations of Malawi (CAMA) Executive Director, John Kapito has blamed the two sides for the continued battle which he fears will disadvantage ordinary Malawians.
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