MultiChoice combat illegal DStv operations

MultiChoice undertaking a programme to combat illegal DStv operations

MULTICHOICE on Thursday announced that it is undertaking a programme to combat illegal DStv operations in Southern Africa.

A spokesman for MultiChoice said the operation was made necessary by the existence of a number of agents who claim to have authorised status and are promoting the illegal provision of South African accounts to users in Zimbabwe. The unregistered operators are claiming to be DStv agents in Zimbabwe.

“In terms of international copyright laws, MultiChoice South Africa can only provide its services to people resident in South Africa due to channels being authorised for reception in South Africa only. All operators providing DStv connections and support services in Zimbabwe are bound the law to ensure that DStv services in Zimbabwe are those that are legitimately provided for this country, and they may not connect Zimbabweans to DStv services in South Africa,” the spokesman said.

The visits to bogus operators result from visible offers made by these operators to give Zimbabweans South African DStv accounts, which makes their actions illegal and could result in criminal actions against both the service providers and their customers.

The spokesman said that the franchise operation in this country, MultiChoice Zimbabwe had a registered selection of authorised MultiChoice Accredited Installers and service agents entitled to undertake support activities and members of the public were urged to ensure they determined the legal status of service providers in all their dealings.

“Illegal agents carry no guarantee of service quality and there is no means of enforcing adherence to DStv standards, and it is clear that a number of bogus operators are promoting access by Zimbabweans to DStv services sourced in South Africa, an act that is illegal and in flagrant violation of international rights regulations. It is our hope this crackdown will eliminate bogus operators, who are putting customers at risk of poor quality service and also exposing them to possible prosecution for infringement of international copyright laws,” said the spokesperson.

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