News / National
Telecel Zimbabwe approaches the High Court over licence cancellation
06 May 2015 at 22:00hrs | Views
Telecel Zimbabwe has approached the High Court of Zimbabwe seeking a prohibitory order that will prevent the industry regulator, POTRAZ, from executing the cancelation of its operating licence pending an appeal to the Minister of ICT.
The Minister of ICT, Supa Mandiwanzira, revealed during a question and answer session in Parliament that the issue of the Telecel Zimbabwe licence is now before the High Court and sub judice.
"Telecel has taken the matter to the High Court seeking an interdict to stop Potraz from implementing the order pending an appeal to the ministry," Mandiwanzira said, declining to discuss the matter further as it was now sub judice.
"At this stage, the matter is before the High Court where if and when they get an interdict they will make an appeal, only at that point will I be able to give a position."
This is Telecel's first official appeal in the ongoing issue surrounding the cancellation of its licence.
Under the Postal and Telecommunications Act, the company can appeal to the minister within 30 days of the cancellation of the licence and can also approach domestic courts if not satisfied with the outcome of that appeal.
Yesterday Mandiwanzira met with directors of VimpelCom, who hold a 60 percent stake in the company, before giving his upbeat assessment of how things had gone on Twitter.
"Just finished a very positive meeting with VimpelCom. It would appear the future of TZ is orange, it's bright," he said
The government controlled Herald today reported that Telecel Zimbabwe has embarked on a campaign to internationalise its dispute with the Government after its operating licence was cancelled last week for violating the country's investment laws.
In a letter to Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa on April 29 - through Telecel Zimbabwe Ltd's lawyers Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher LLP - the firm threatened to take the matter before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes if it is not resolved amicably within six months.
The letter was copied to President Mugabe, Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Christopher Mushohwe; Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Supa Mandiwanzira and Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe acting director general Mr Baxton Sirewu.
On Monday, appearing before an ICT parliamentary committee, Mandiwanzira said Telecel could avoid closure by moving to address the government's concerns.
Telecel last week issued a statement saying the cancellation of its operating licence was unfair and unwarranted.
The Minister of ICT, Supa Mandiwanzira, revealed during a question and answer session in Parliament that the issue of the Telecel Zimbabwe licence is now before the High Court and sub judice.
"Telecel has taken the matter to the High Court seeking an interdict to stop Potraz from implementing the order pending an appeal to the ministry," Mandiwanzira said, declining to discuss the matter further as it was now sub judice.
"At this stage, the matter is before the High Court where if and when they get an interdict they will make an appeal, only at that point will I be able to give a position."
This is Telecel's first official appeal in the ongoing issue surrounding the cancellation of its licence.
Under the Postal and Telecommunications Act, the company can appeal to the minister within 30 days of the cancellation of the licence and can also approach domestic courts if not satisfied with the outcome of that appeal.
"Just finished a very positive meeting with VimpelCom. It would appear the future of TZ is orange, it's bright," he said
The government controlled Herald today reported that Telecel Zimbabwe has embarked on a campaign to internationalise its dispute with the Government after its operating licence was cancelled last week for violating the country's investment laws.
In a letter to Finance and Economic Development Minister Patrick Chinamasa on April 29 - through Telecel Zimbabwe Ltd's lawyers Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher LLP - the firm threatened to take the matter before the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes if it is not resolved amicably within six months.
The letter was copied to President Mugabe, Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister Christopher Mushohwe; Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Supa Mandiwanzira and Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe acting director general Mr Baxton Sirewu.
On Monday, appearing before an ICT parliamentary committee, Mandiwanzira said Telecel could avoid closure by moving to address the government's concerns.
Telecel last week issued a statement saying the cancellation of its operating licence was unfair and unwarranted.
Source - Byo24News
