Reported by Innocent Mvundula
Minister of Information, Moses Kunkuyu, has instructed the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (Macra) to withdraw the injunction against MultiChoice Malawi, allowing them to proceed with their proposed price adjustments.
A government letter indicates that while the regulatory body’s independence is acknowledged, Macra is now advised to seek guidance from the ministry. The directive reads, “I direct Macra to promptly revert to the situation preceding the injunction, facilitating earnest efforts to resolve the matter without resorting to litigation.”
Kunkuyu has confirmed issuing the order but declined to elaborate, citing its relevance specifically to Macra. He stated, “It’s an order directed at Macra, and we anticipate their compliance.”
John Kapito, Executive Director of the Consumers Association of Malawi, praised the government’s decision, asserting that the price hikes are unrelated to Macra. Kapito emphasized that the choice to subscribe remains with customers, who pay Multichoice directly rather than the government.
Sharing similar views, Honorable Kamlepo Kalua, a member of the Parliamentary media committee, highlighted a systemic disconnect between the government and its boards. Kalua underscored that Macra’s actions should involve communication with the Ministry of Information, questioning the board’s independent decision-making without the knowledge of their supervising minister.
The disagreement arose when Multichoice Malawi introduced new service prices. Macra’s legal intervention aimed to halt the implementation of these new prices.