Motorists Decry Mandatory ZBC Licence Fee

Rutendo Mazhindu - ZimNow Reporter

Motorists have slammed the government’s decision to make the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) radio licence fee compulsory, stating that the US$92 annual charge as unjust, excessive and out of touch with the economic realities faced by citizens.

In an interview with ZimNow , Arthur a Harare taxi driver said, “What’s the use of paying a radio licence for something I don’t even listen to?”

“There are only three languages broadcast, and the rest are not. Why am I being forced to pay for a radio licence when I don’t even have a radio in my car?”

Kudzai Mazhindu said the fee should not be forced on everyone. “Ukaona vachiti mandatory it means they are forcing people to pay. Isu vamwe mota dzedu hadzina radio. Why should I be forced to pay?”

Another motorist, Paston Machengete, said the government could have set a lower fee. “It never rains. Surely, if it’s mandatory and every motorist will buy it, US$10 would have done it. Imagine if we have three million cars on the road at US$23 per quarter the money is too much.”

The outcry follows the recent gazetting of the Broadcasting Services Amendment Act (No. 2 of 2025), which now requires all motorists to pay a ZBC radio licence fee before renewing their vehicle insurance or obtaining a ZINARA licence disc.

The fee is pegged at US$23 per quarter, amounting to US$92 per year, and is aimed at improving compliance and boosting revenue for the national broadcaster.

St Mary’s Member of Parliament Brighton Mazhindu urged the government to reconsider the policy. “Many of our people are struggling to put food on the table, let alone afford a US$92 annual charge tied to a service that many do not even use regularly,” he said.

“We all want to see public media institutions that are well funded and professional. But imposing blanket charges on every motorist, regardless of whether they use ZBC radio or not, is unfair. What’s more, tying it to essential services like insurance and ZINARA licence discs is coercive.”

Tafadzwa Marahwa an Indrive Driver , “Why not let BAZ (Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe) act as the regulator instead of ZBC? ZBC is not just a regulator; it’s also a player in the same broadcasting industry. This creates a conflict of interest.”

Another vehicle owner Kumbirai Muzopa said: “If ZBC sets the rules and also benefits financially from mandatory payments, what happens if other broadcasters want to offer similar services or expect licensing revenue? Are they being treated fairly?”

Former ICT Minister and ZIFM radio owner Supa Mandiwanzira proposed a revenue.sharing model.

“It cannot be fair that ZBC collects all this tax directly from consumers. My proposition would be to allow ZBC to receive tax and let the money be shared 50% to ZBC and 50% to a revolving fund for media players. That would be a fair distribution.”