Johannesburg – DStv has been withdrawn from Malawi “with immediate effect” after a court in that country ruled that the Sub-Saharan African direct broadcast satellite service could not raise prices.
Late on Tuesday, MultiChoice Africa Holdings B.V (MAH) announced that it “has regrettably notified DStv subscribers of its withdrawal of services from Malawi with immediate effect”.
The DStv exit came soon after an injunction issued by the High Court in Lilongwe in a matter between MultiChoice Malawi (MCM) and the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA) prohibiting an adjustment to the DStv tariffs.
Commenting on the sudden exit, MultiChoice said: “MCM does not offer the DStv service to the public and therefore cannot set or adjust tariffs for this service, a point repeatedly made to MACRA”.
MultiChoice added: “As a result, 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 MultiChoice Malawi, including imprisonment”.
MultiChoice said that given the impact on its supplier (MCM) and an increasingly adverse regulatory environment, it was therefore left with no option but to terminate the DStv service indefinitely.
“Customers are hereby, and with immediate effect, requested to halt payment for the DStv service,” said MultiChioce.
“Customers who have already paid their new subscription for the DStv service will have those services honored until the current 30-day viewing cycle ends on or before 10 September 2023.”
MultiChoice said from Wednesday, (9 August 2023), no new subscriptions or reconnections will be accepted.
“MultiChoice would like to thank customers for their support over many years,” the digital satellite broadcaster said.
“MultiChoice would also like to thank MCM for their professional conduct in supplying services to MAH over as many years.”
