Online Reporter
Zvamaida Murwira-Senior Reporter
Motorists are now required to hold a valid radio licence first before they can pay for vehicle insurance and licence disc.
President Mnangagwa has signed into law the Broadcasting Services Amendment Act which compels motorists to first hold a valid Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) radio licence before buying motor insurance and a vehicle licence disc.
The law is meant to provide full capacitation to the national broadcaster whose mandate is to air national events for free, such as the burial of national heroes, Independence Day and Heroes Day commemorations, among others.
The promulgation of the law is part of the broader objective of the Second Republic led by President Mnangagwa to have media reforms in the country, one of which was the repeal of the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Act which was felt had the effect of undermining media freedom, diversity and plurality.
It was replaced by the Freedom of Information Act which many legal analysts said was more progressive and consistent with a democratic society such as Zimbabwe.
The assent of the Broadcasting Services Amendment Act by President Mnangagwa was announced by Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Dr Martin Rushwaya in a Government Gazette published last Friday.
The law withstood the intense scrutiny of Parliament both in the National Assembly and Senate saw debate ensuing as legislators expressed their views before it was passed.
After intense debate in the National Assembly, legislators supported Clause 15 which prohibits the sale of motor insurance and vehicle licence discs without a valid ZBC radio licence.
What remained for debate was the US$30 fee for radio licence which MPs felt was high.
Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Dr Jenfan Muswere who steered the Bill together with Government Leader of the House and Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi settled the issue after advising the Chamber that the matter of how much fees should be charged was an administrative issue which did not form part of the law.
