Residents of the mineral rich town told The Zimbabwean during a recent visit to the area that they have not been able to get local radio and TV programmes since 2004 as a result of the “black out” by the national broadcaster.
“Every year license officers from ZBC demand license fees for radio and TV. We feel we are not being treated fairly because after paying those huge amounts we are still not able to watch or listen to any of the broadcaster’s station,” said Emilia Banda of Mandava suburb.
The chagrined residents said since 2004 they have relied on watching foreign programmes on satellite TV something which they said has rendered them out of touch with what is happening locally.
“We watch South African TV stations and end up knowing more about that country than we know about our own country,” remarked Ury Shoko.
Transmedia Chief Operation Officer Claude Nyamundanda said the lack of transmission in the area was due to obsolete equipment.
He said Transmedia has finished work on upgrading equipment at the main transmission centres and would soon start restoring transmission for radio in “shadow areas”.
“Zvishavane, Mberengwa are what we call shadow or gray areas. They can’t get a signal from our main transmission sites,” he said.
TV transmission will be worked on once the digitalization process is complete.
ZBC Public Relations Manager SivukileSimango apologized to the Zvishavane residents for the lack of transmission in their town.
Post published in: News