MOREBLESSING MARANGE
Information Communication Technology and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera has called on Starlink, a satellite internet constellation operated by American aerospace company SpaceX owned by billionaire Elon Musk, to adhere to the existing laws of the country if it intends to operate in the country.
Responding to questions in Parliament yesterday, Mavetera said the government was considering a proposal by Starlink to operate in Zimbabwe and that the Postal and Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) was seized with the matter.
She said Starlink, like any other company intending to operate in Zimbabwe, should follow the country’s laws.
Mavetera was responding to questions from former ICT Minister Supa Mandiwanzira who is also Member of Parliament for Nyanga South constituency over how the government was to deal with negativity on X, formerly Twitter, against the country, its leadership and the ruling Zanu PF party.
Mandiwanzira asked whether the government will consider the complaint to Musk by the European Union on misinformation peddled by Twitter in licensing Starlink, owned by the owner of X.
“This concerns public statements made by the Ministry and POTRAZ particularly with regards to the licensing of a service by Mr Elon Musk of Starlink.
“Given what the EU did yesterday that it wrote to Mr Musk expressing its disappointment with regards to one of Mr Musk’s channel which is X, previously known as Twitter where the EU complained about misinformation being peddled by Twitter,” Mandiwanzira said.
“…given the concerns raised by the EU regarding one of Mr Musk’s channels, if there is consideration by the Minister to equally express concern to Mr Musk particularly with regards to content disparaging of our leadership, our President, sometimes our political party on X in Zimbabwe and whether actions by EU will be considered when deciding licensing of Starlink,” Mandiwanzira asked.
In response, the Minister said Starlink, like any other firm wanting to deal with Zimbabwe should follow the laws of the land.
“As Zimbabwe, we have a policy that is clear that we want to engage as a country and allow any people that would want to trade with us to do it quite openly,” Mavetera said.
“Indeed, looking at Starlink, it is a company that has shown interest but for us as a ministry, we are waiting upon POTRAZ for them to also be guided by the regulation which guides us.
“There is a need to follow all procedures and protocols and that is what we are waiting for. As for now, they have not paid the application fees for them to be able to say they are willing. They have shown interest but they have not been able to adhere to our rules and regulations as a country.”
“Indeed, for us we have policies like the Patriotic Bill that guide us. Any country that needs to deal with us needs to adhere to that and Starlink, the moment it will have to agree to our rules and regulations, it will be able to come and trade with us and go along with our laws as well,” she added.
