Telecel's appeal still unheard after 15 months

Sources within the cell phone company said their appeal to former Minister Christopher Mushohwe on the suspension had not yet been determined when the Minister was relieved of his duties to become a governor for Manicaland province after the June 27 disputed presidential election.

The ministry currently has no substantive minister due to an impasse between the ruling ZANU PF and the two MDC opposition political parties over an inclusive government.

A company executive, who declined to be named, said they would rather remain quiet on the issue until there is a substantive minister.

“It has taken too long, but we'll be comfortable raising thee issue with a new minister when a new government is formed,” he said.

The Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (POTRAZ) cancelled the company's licence on 9 August 2007, saying they had violated regulations which stipulate that locals must have a majority stake in mobile telephone companies.

The company, however, filed an urgent application with the High Court to reverse the POTRAZ decision. High Court judge Justice Joseph Musakwa on 15 August 2007 granted the company a provisional order to continue operating and suspended the cancellation pending the outcome of its appeal, which should have been heard within a month of its filing with the Minister.

Telecel Zimbabwe serves approximately 235,000 subscribers, and is owned by Orascom Telecom Holding SAE which has a 60% stake through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Telecel International Ltd, with Empowerment Corporation (Pty) Ltd, a consortium of several indigenous investors, owning a 40% stake.