14 January 2017•Update: 15 January 2017
By John Cassim
HARARE, Zimbabwe
Attempts by Zimbabwe to muzzle cellphone Internet use backfired this week as citizens resisted the move, described Saturday by one mobile network provider as a ploy to limit alleged social media abuse.
The order by the state telecommunications authority to hike mobile data tariffs by more than 2,000 percent by Jan. 12 had Zimbabweans were up in arms.
In a panic, ICT Minister Supa Mandiwanzira Thursday temporarily ordered a reversal of the increase. His actions were perceived as grandstanding and political, meant to portray the only private mobile network provider Econet as "greedy and insincere."
Ironically two government-run mobile network providers had yet to implement the increase and witnessed an exodus of citizens to the cheaper operators.
Econet Wireless accused the government of being biased.
"Since his appointment to this ministry he [Supa Mandiwanzira] has behaved as if he is the minister of the government-owned entities alone and has been relentlessly attacking us without just cause and reversing the gains that this sector has made over the years," Econet Wireless complained in a statement Saturday.
The private operator accused the government of muzzling mobile Internet "due to concerns over the perceived abuse of social media, we were accused of contributing to through our low data tariffs."
Social media protest leader Patson Dzamara had no kind words.
"As far as the confusion around data tariffs is concerned, we are being fooled. This hullabaloo is infested with the [ruling party] ZANU PF hallmark features of oppression, opportunism, dishonesty and ruthlessness. Since when does ZANU PF and its appendages care for the ordinary citizens and their voice?” he said.
