Overview

• President Emmerson Mnangagwa signed the Broadcasting Services Amendment Act into law this month, activating the clause three months after parliamentary approval.
• The annual ZBC licence fee of $92 applied to approximately 1.2 million registered vehicles is expected to generate millions of dollars in revenue for the state broadcaster.
• Opposition leader Nelson Chamisa described the requirement as “draconian, anti-citizen and outrightly heartless,” accusing ZBC of operating as a ZANU-PF propaganda arm.
• Media freedom advocates and MISA Zimbabwe had urged Information Minister Jenfan Muswere earlier this month to reconsider the levy after public hearings in December 2024.
• Under the law, motorists without a radio receiver can obtain an exemption certificate from ZBC by signing a prescribed form.