Zinara and ZBC strike licence deal

HARARE – The Zimbabwe National Road Administration and the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Holdings have agreed that Zinara can now sell radio and television licences for cars.

This will help motorists who in the past have been forced to queue twice, once to buy a car licence and then again to buy the car radio licence. Under the new deal they will buy both at a Zinara counter.

Officially launching the deal, Zinara chief executive Mr Frank Chitukutuku said this partnership would see ZBC making use of Zinara’s existing advanced ICT infrastructure as a platform for the national broadcaster to bring convenience to Zimbabweans.

“This development will see an integration of our vehicle licencing database with motor radio and TV licences,” Mr Chitukutuku said.

“We are also going to provide a one-stop shop for motorists in as far this buttresses the one-stop shop concept where customers can get multiple business services all under one roof in just one stop without moving from office to office for services.”

Mr Chitukutuku said they were looking at insurance being part of this wholly integrated system. “I am happy to assure the motoring public that we are committed to bringing convenience to them. Today marks the first step in the right direction,” he said.

ZBC acting board chairman Mr Clemence Mabaso said the partnership was a collaborative effort between Zinara and ZBC, ensuring that car radios are licenced. According to the Broadcasting Services Act, 2001, all cars with radios must have a valid licence.

He said the world over, all national broadcasters collect licencing fees to enable them to ensure quality programming and critical equipment as well as spares for the studios.

“ZBC has appointed Zinara to be its sole agent in the collection of motor vehicle radio and television licences. This is an effort to bring convenience to the motoring public.”