'StarTimes not authorised challenge DStv in Zimbabwe'

The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe has dismissed claims that international media company StarTimes has been issued with a license to provide broadcasting locally.

In a statement, BAZ chief executive officer Mr Obert Muganyura said the claims in an online publication were false as StarTimes had not been provided with a broadcasting license to provide a direct-to-home satellite television service.

"The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe would like to advise the public that the claim. . .to the effect that a company called StarTimes has been issued with a licence to provide a direct-to-home satellite television service in Zimbabwe is patently false," he said.

"The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe would like to put it on record that StarTimes has not been issued with a licence to provide any broadcasting service in Zimbabwe and is therefore not authorised to provide its StarSat service within the territory of Zimbabwe.

"The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe would like to urge the media to verify facts with the relevant authorities to avoid misleading the public."

StarTimes representative in Zimbabwe Ms Brenda Matshazi was quoted in the online publication last week saying the media company was now in the process of setting up operations as they had secured a license to provide broadcasting services in January.

StarTimes operates in 16 African countries.