AN Econet employee has been arrested for allegedly confiscating NetOne bibs used by vendors, as the battle for control of the telecoms sector turns nasty.
BY BUSINESS REPORTER
The employee, Munyaradzi Chikwama, is accused of confiscating the bibs used by vendors in Bulawayo and Plumtree and offered those of a rival operator. According to NetOne Matabeleland regional manager, Elma Dube, Chikwama grabbed 500 bibs.
The case has since been reported at Bulawayo Central Police Station under CR Number IR 4853/16.
NetOne acting chief executive officer, Brian Mutandiro said the arrest was a tip of the iceberg and signified the intensity of competition in the mobile sector.
“Our bibs have been disappearing throughout the country and we were wondering what is happening and instituted investigations. It is public knowledge that NetOne is the fastest growing network at the moment according to the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz). Last year, our subscriber base grew by a massive 1,2 million and no other network recorded a similar growth,” he said.
Mutandiro said NetOne will report the case to Potraz and take legal action.
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According to a Potraz fourth quarter 2015 report, NetOne had a market share of 34,2% behind Econet’s 52,5%. Telecel’s market share was 15,1%. The report showed that NetOne registered the highest growth in active mobile subscribers at 8,8% whereas Econet and Telecel were at 0,3% apiece.
Econet spokesperson, Lovemore Nyatsine said: “Econet cannot comment on an issue involving the police suffice to say the company has a zero tolerance for any behaviour that may tarnish its image.”
Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson, Precious Simango was unavailable for comment.
