Vongai Masuka

The Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) has issued a warning against the use of unregistered Decoders and unlicensed television services in the country, with the broadcasting body threatening to invoke laws that arrest those found using such services.

In a statement released yesterday, the regulator identified several popular devices, including OVHD, StarSat, DigiSat, Mediastar, and Senator as being at the center of illegal broadcasting activities.

According to BAZ, these decoders are being used to facilitate the reception of unlicensed services and pirated content, a move the authority says undermines the integrity, sustainability, and lawful operation of Zimbabwe’s media industry.

BAZ Acting Chief Executive Officer, Eng. Matthias Chakanyuka, said that the law is clear and unequivocal regarding who can provide broadcasting services.

“Under Section 7(1) of the Broadcasting Services Act [Chapter 12:06], it is a criminal offense to provide a broadcasting service without a valid license,” he said.

The authority highlighted that all hardware suppliers must comply with the Broadcasting Services (Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Services) Regulations of 2020 (S.I. 26 of 2020).

These regulations mandate that all set-top boxes (decoders) must undergo a formal type-approval process and be registered with BAZ before they can be legally distributed.

The regulator’s position leaves no room for ambiguity, the distribution, sale, and even the personal use of these decoders constitutes a violation of the law.

“The Authority will not hesitate to invoke the relevant laws in investigating, prosecuting, and bringing to book all offenders involved in these unlawful activities,” Chakanyuka stated.

BAZ urged members of the general public to desist from purchasing or installing unapproved decoders, subscribing to illegal broadcasting services, supporting subscription models that provide access to pirated content.