Zimbabwe restricts DsTV payments

Published Feb 27, 2017

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Harare – Mobile money companies in Zimbabwe are no-longer

accepting dollar payments for pay television platform, DsTV while some banks

are also now restricting payments for the service.

This comes as Zimbabwe has started to tighten the screws

on “excessive” spending and use of scarce foreign currency. The country has

introduced local bond notes after bank notes started to run out.

Following stinging criticism on banks by the reserve

bank, finance institutions have now started to limit payments for DsTV. Telecel

Zimbabwe announced on Monday that it will stop accepting payments for DsTV

using its Telecash mobile money platform.

“Due to factors beyond our control, DsTV payments on

Telecash will cease on February 28 till further notice. All other services

remain available,” Telecel Zimbabwe said in a text message to subscribers.

Rival operator Econet Wireless has also moved to stop dollar

payments for DsTV in Zimbabwe. 

Read also:  Zimbabweans splurge on DStv, booze

However, it has switched on an alternative platform that

allows DsTV subscribers to pay for views using a rand account on the EcoCash

platform, with users having to convert their funds into rands first.

Some banks in Zimbabwe are no longer accepting credit

card payments for DsTV for non-account holders. Zimbabwe is battling acute

foreign currency shortages and the central bank is asking banks to allow pay

outs to depositors using a strict priority list.

BUSINESS REPORT

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