Telecel remains “fully committed” to the country and to working with the government to comply with all legal and regulatory requirements within the agreed time frame. “Our shareholders are engaging with relevant stakeholders and are working closely and tirelessly with all key authorities to find a lasting solution to the issue,” said the company.
Last week, the country’s information and communication technology minister Supa Mandiwanzira said it was going to shut down Telecel Zimbabwe for operating without a licence and breaching the country’s indigenisation laws.
Telecel Zimbabwe is a unit of Global Telecom Holdings, controlled by VimpelCom. “Telecel remains fully committed to Zimbabwe and to working with the government in order to comply with all legal requirements for operating in the country,” said a VimpelCom spokesperson.
“Telecel serves over 2 million customers in Zimbabwe and has been a full abiding tax payer. It has invested $237 million into the country’s mobile infrastructure since 2009 and also operates an annual Zimbabwean CSR budget of $700,000, aimed at making a difference to the life of the Zimbabwean people. It has been, and will remain, supportive to the continued development of the country and committed to fulfilling its financial, operational and social responsibilities.”
