Poor network irritates Beitbridge chiefs

ELLEN MLAMBO

BEITBRIDGE – Beitbridge chiefs are tired of Government and mobile companies’ promises that they are working on improving cellular network.

Traditional leaders who spoke in interviews with Two Nations recently  after holding a meeting with Zanu PF vice president Kembo Mohadi said that the majority of the population in Beitbridge rural is relying on South African and Botswana cellular networks like MTN and Cell-C, particularly for WhatsApp communication and this hindered development in the area.

Most traditional leaders get their allowances through mobile phones but they are having to travel 100km to access the payments because of the poor network. They also said that reporting emergencies including calling ambulances is a headache.

An estimated 150 000 people in the district are said to be subscribers to foreign mobile networks.

On the sidelines of a meeting with village heads and ZANU PF DCC leadership in Beitbridge recently, Vice President Kembo Mohadi however, also made the undertaking that the problem of poor network by three of the country’s mobile companies, Econet, NetOne and Telecel is being attended to.

NetOne spokesperson, Roselyn Chisvetu had not responded to emails sent to her by the time of going to Press.

Efforts to get comments from Econet and Telecel spokespersons were futile. 

“That is work in progress, we promised that there will be more boosters so that those in remote areas also get the signals. The thrust is that every area of Zimbabwe must have a signal,” said Mohad.

Chief Sitaudze, however said that the promises have been going on for too long.

“We have been talking about this for a while and its affecting development and a lot of things. Communication that is supposed to come to community leaders in due time can take a while because of network challenge,” said Sitaudze.

Some of the affected areas include Zezani, Tuli,Tshikwalakwala, Toporo, Malibeng, Swereki and Shashe. https://chipingetimes.co.zw