MulitiChoice Africa has withdrawn DStv services in Malawi, according to a letter which we have seen.
Signed by the company’s Chief Financial Officer, Retief Tromp and addressed to Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) Director General, the letter cited the injunction which the authoriy obtained against rising of prices before the judicial review case is heard.
“We have received from MultiChoice Malawi (“MCM”) and note the order handed down by the Honorable High Court in Lilongwe in the matter Raise 1996 t/a MultiChoice Malawi vs MACRA (“the Authority”) (Judicial Review case no.1 of 2023).
“We further note that the order handed down to MCM is incapable of being implemented by them but carries with it grave consequences for the Directors and Management of MCM, which includes imprisonment if not complied with.
“The regulatory environment in Malawi has become hostile and fraught with uncertainty. This has affected the investment environment in which MultiChoice Africa Holdings (“MAH”) B.V provides services and conducts its business.
“In order to avoid the perverse outcome of the injunction against parties who play no role in the provision of the DStv services, and given the conditions that pertain in the market, MAH regrettably informs the Authority that it will stop offering its DStv services in the Malawian market with immediate effect for an indefinite period,” reads part of the letter dated August, 8.
