The Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) has ordered Multichoice Malawi (MCM) to pay K19 million in outstanding license fee within 30 days.
This is contained in a letter that Macra has written MCM in light of the DStv saga that has unfolded in recent weeks.
Last week, DStv announced that it had withdrawn services from Malawi after a High Court injunction stopped its distributor in Malawi, MCM, from adjusting tariffs.
MCM has been maintaining that it does not offer the DStv service, with Gotv as its only local offering.
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In the letter, Macra Director General Daud Suleman further orders MCM to submit its audited statements for 2022 for calculation of 2022 levies.
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The company has also been told to put in place measures that ensure a 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 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,” the letter reads.
Meanwhile, Consumers Associations of Malawi Executive Director John Kapito has urged the two sides to sober up.
“Let them settle their fight amicably because, after everything, Malawians are the ones to feel the pinch,” Kapito said.
