In brief
Zimbabwe's President Emmerson Mnangagwa has stirred controversy by enacting a bill mandating motor vehicle owners to obtain radio licences before they can purchase vehicle insurance. This annual fee of $92 (£68) has provoked strong backlash from drivers already grappling with economic difficulties. Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa criticized the law as "draconian" and "heartless," while government officials defended it as a necessary revenue-generating measure for the struggling state broadcaster. The move aims to ensure compliance while alleviating financial pressures on the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC), which has long relied on licence fees amidst accusations of biased coverage.
The new Broadcasting Services Amendment Act requires all vehicle owners to possess a valid radio licence to renew their insurance or receive permits from the Zimbabwe National Road Authority (Zinara). Critics argue that the licence fee, set at $23 quarterly, exacerbates the burdens facing citizens. The ZBC, which combines licence revenue with government support and advertising income, has struggled to encourage payments, leading to calls for the elimination of the fee amid allegations of unfair reporting, particularly during electoral cycles. Despite claims of exemptions for tourists and others, opposition voices insist the new law is an undue financial strain, inciting significant public outcry.
