A Chinese mining company has been sentenced and fined for using American internet service provider Starlink in Guruve.
Starlink, which is owned by billionaire Elon Musk, is making inroads in Africa, with countries like Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique having approved its usage. However, Zimbabwe has not yet granted Starlink a license to operate.
Despite this, some people have been selling Starlink internet kits locally. Last year, there was an uproar online after ZANU-PF spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa’s son Neville announced on Facebook that he is selling Starlink kits.
Last year, ICT Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera said Starlink is yet to pay application fees to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) for it to operate in the country.
This year, authorities swooped down on people and companies advertising and distributing Starlink Internet Services gadgets. Two people were arrested as a result.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) confirmed the judgement in a statement shared on X:
“SAN HE Mining company was sentenced to pay a fine of USD700 by a Bindura Magistrate for contravening the Postal and Telecommunications Act, “willfully and or operating a radio station without a license or authorisation from the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ).”
The NPA added that on the 5th of December last year, POTRAZ reported to the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) that a company in Guruve was using Starlink equipment. The police then went to SAN HE Mining company, where they recovered the Starlink router and antenna.
SOURCE : IHARARE
