The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has directed Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) to cut access to unlicensed international Data Transit operators who were illegally offering Electronic Communication services to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) within Zambia using the ZESCO infrastructure.
In a statement released to the media today, ZICTA name the illegal operators as PCCWL Global, Telecom Namibia Limited, Wananchi Telecom Limited (WTL), West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) and Gilat Satcom Global Communications, adding that these operators do not pay tax since they are not registered entities in Zambia.
Below is the full statement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2017.
ZICTA directs ZESCO to disconnect all Illegal International Transit Operators
Following investigations, the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) has directed Zambia Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (ZESCO) to cut access to unlicensed international Data Transit operators who were illegally offering Electronic Communication services to Internet Service Providers (ISPs) within Zambia using the ZESCO infrastructure.
This is contrary to Section 9 of the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Act No. 15 of 2009.
According to Section 9 of the ICT Act, it is against the law for any firm or individual to operate an Electronic Communications Network or provide an Electronic Communications Service without a licence issued under the Act.
The said unlicensed international transit operators include PCCWL Global, Telecom Namibia Limited, Wananchi Telecom Limited (WTL), West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC) and Gilat Satcom Global Communications.
The Authority has already issued fines against ZESCO, Wananchi Telecom Limited (WTL), West Indian Ocean Cable Company (WIOCC), PCCWL Global and Gilat Satcom Global Communications respectively for abrogating the law.
It is important to note that companies engaging in such conducts deprive government of the much needed revenue as they do not pay tax since they are not registered entities in Zambia.
Tax avoidance is illegal, and we therefore, urge companies operating in the ICT sector to legalise and normalise their operations and follow laid down procedures as stipulated by laws governing the sector.
Issued By:
____________________________________________________________
Hanford Chaaba (Mr)
Public Relations Officer
In Zambia we should learn to work in a constructive manner. If they are not registered when they have to ie they bound by law, then sue them. BTW ZICTA is not ZRA, they have no business talking about taxes and issuing stupid orders. Citizens should start fighting back this none sense is going to far. Enough is enough!
Iwe, these fellas are making millions from us without paying tax. It doesnt mean if you are UPND then anything even if it makes sense should be opposed. Amano kwati ni Dorika !
I’m not a politician. I’m a concerned citizen. I respect constructive debate. Here is what you missed from my original post ….. “If they are not registered when they have to i.e they are bound by law, then sue them.” Remember if they are making millions in Zambia, it means there is demand and clear laws can put forward to address any loopholes and not going like hey ZESCO disconnect A and B because of this and that. Knowledge is power.
Clueless clowns that know not what they are talking about!
Can they please work to IMPROVE our internet here in Zambia instead of just threatening to cut off systems that are working well.
Or do they want to fail the whole nation and let useless Zamtel screw us all for more money and SH!T service?
Out of interest, where do you sue them since they are not registered in Zambia? You can’t sue them in Zambian courts since they don’t answer to them as they are not registered herein. So you sue Gilat in Israel, PCCWL in China or Telecom Namib Ltd in Namibia etc….? And do you then understand the concobility thereof? Think twice before displaying your naked ignorance, do some research or just refrain from commenting on matters where your ignorance levels in such shines like the stars!
critco with all due respect avoid using unnecessary vulgar language. The companies have been named, if there is proof they can be sued, which court you choose depends. There are many courts that handle “Industrial disputes” remember Zambia is not the first country to face such an issue. Talking about research and ignorance, If you knew me personally, you’d make an informed conclusion. Again, like I said, I’m a concerned citizen.
Zambia is finished under PF! By the time they are done with Zambia, there will be nothing left. What has happened to diplomacy? There are surely civil ways of engaging the concerned than scandalizing them like ZICTA has done. Anyway, cadres are now in control of both ZESCO and ZICTA. You can’t reason with cadres!
If you follow current affairs, you would have known that these people were notified and warned through many sorts of media two months ago but failed to comply. You are the same people that complain about foreign companies not following the law but whenever the gorvernment acts you scream like pigs. One thing I know, pigs will always be pigs no matter what good you do to them. Anyway I do not blame you because the only source of news is social media and ZWD.
Tell them Kci ! These are Zambian Watchdoggers !
Real quest is spot on! See, you can’t reason with cadres! Always using jungle mentality! There is no better way to them than raising dust! If you knew how landlocked you are, you would take care to be nice to your neighbors because they reserve the right to retaliate!
A country run by savages. Law is no longer regarded as important. Thats why kaiser Zulu can get away with assaulting and undressing a police woman in broad day light. What a country and leadership.
Palibe na nkhani ya nkhumba apa. Pigs pamene apa, vibanthu vinangu chabe
so ba liquid…….ni liquid fye
Welcome to expensive Internet, liquid is having a monopoly here .. even PF caders here living in Zambia will fail to buy expensive data
Comment:Do u know what the use of tax monies or u jst comment with ur ignorance and u are the same people complaining no medicine in the hospitals,learn more abt that dear
Tax money is now used for presidential trips and allowances, not forgetting rations for cadres. When were you last in a government clinic or hospital? It’s pathetic!
Poor management and thinking inside the box. The truth is that ZICTA wants money. The better option is for ZICTA to ask ZESCO to collect license fee on it’s behalf when the above companies pay monthly or periodic bill. From the above story ZICTA did not give directive to ZESCO that only companies with the license should be connected. The approach to work culture by ZICTA is very poor.
Very un-business-like move by ZICTA! Why not regularize the opportunity and make money out of it? ….. unless of course there’s more than meets the eye to the whole thing!
Very wise decision from ZICTA. If these companies are bonafide they will normalise things and follow the law.
Take this unorthodox path: Compel them to register then tax them. And that will be a plus for govt revenue. It benefits no one to kick them out together with the pot of honey. Better get your share and serve your interests. Unless there’s more to it than the tax issue, e.g. protecting the registered ISPs. But then protectionism stifles competition and deprives the user of cheap choices at the market place. The ZICTA decision drips with emotion and thoughtlessness. Think how the national treasury would soon run dry if ZRA, for instance, closed all entities that failed to meet their tax obligations! ZRA would rather negotiate a payment with the client. ZICTA must pick a leaf from ZRA.