2017 Year in Review: The Most-Read Stories On Techunzipped

A good friend of mine described 2017 as crazy, words only can’t describe It, it has been a great year though it’s been full of drama. A lot of good and bad things happened, but that doesn’t take away the fact that 2017 has been a good year. Here is what has been happening this year.

JANUARY

Government Suspended High Data Tariff Increases

The Minister of ICT, Supa Mandiwanzira issued a statement on January declaring the suspension of tariff increases on mobile data. The Minister also ordered the companies to reimburse affected customers. In the statement Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Supa Mandiwanzira said the decision was arrived at after noting the high increases in tariffs. More…

The increase of mobile data became a worrying trend early this year. Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (Potraz) then defended the new minimum charges for voice, data and bundled services as a life-threatening measure to stop the downward spiral of revenues of the telecoms sector. More…

On the very same month, NetOne, Zimbabwe’s second largest mobile network operator this week is on a streak in terms of giving customers the best in terms of value. NetOne last year was instructed by the mobile regular POTRAZ to kill the popular Dollar a Day (DAD) promotion which was the cornerstone and the brand behind NetOne’s easy call and voice offering before One Fusion. More…

FEBRUARY

Telecash Shuts down DSTV payments

The government’s introduction of bond notes seemed to be worsening the country cash crisis and causing panic withdrawals from banks, with nervous Zimbabweans overwhelming financial institutions in their anxious bid to take out all their monies by all means possible. In December, Econet was the first to suspend Ecocash payments for DStv for 2017. Telecel, issued a statement announcing the suspension of Telecash DStv payment, starting 1 March 2017. More…

“Supa Please Retract & Apologize 4 Your Shameful Lie”: Pastor Evan Mawarire

Information Communication Technology Minister Supa Mandiwanzira last week addressing journalists during the visit of British ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Catriona Laing and he stated that the arrest of #ThisFlag Pastor Evan Mawarire was above board.

The remarks the Honorable minister did not go well with Pastor Evan as he twittered on Saturday from his official twitter account @PastorEvanLive : “@SupaCollinsM please retract & apologize 4 your shameful lie to @CatrionaLaing1 that I was arrested 4 breaching bail conditions. Hamunyari [have you no shame]?” More…

New Nokia 3310 Launched at MWC 2017, Here Are Its Features And Pictures

The iconic Nokia 3310 handset has made a comeback and will be selling for $52.Last year, a Finnish start-up called HMD Global, made up of ex-Nokia execs, bought the intellectual property required to make phones from Nokia. HMD Global also bought rights for branding and technology.  More…

MARCH

Strive Masiyiwa Pumped $100 million in Econet right issue

ECONET Wireless Zimbabwe early this year planned to raise $130 million via a debatable rights offer and linked debentures in order to service its foreign debt. Under the rights offer, shareholders were to follow their rights by paying the subscription price of the shares and linked debentures into the company’s debt account. More…

Zimbabwe’s leading telecoms operator, Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has launched Prestige Vehicle Management (PVM), an affordable car tracking and monitoring solution which allows customers to easily track, and monitor their vehicles on-the-go from their smartphones, laptops or desktops. The service comes at a convenient time when controlling vehicle-related expenses, such as fuel usage and maintenance costs has become a top priority for individuals and companies in Zimbabwe. PVM also comes in handy in cases of vehicle theft which are increasingly being reported in the country. More… 

Netone introduced dollar a day

Most voice mobile promotions to hit Zimbabwe have been specified using the same old technique of maintaining subscribers with in-house promos, as the main worm on the hook. However, NetOne broke that barrier by adding a whopping 10minutes for every dollar across the network. More…

APRIL

Strive Masiyiwa Bought Unilever Shares on this month

Unilever PLC said Non-Executive Director Strive Masiyiwa acquired 1,130 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, April 25th. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 4,031 ($51.53) per share, with a total value of £45,550.30 ($58,233.57). The acquisition is Masiyiwa’s only holding in Unilever after joining fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) company in April last year. More…

Telecel Zimbabwe which was at this year’s ZITF in Bulawayo announced the re-introduction of their popular Mega Bonus promotion which allows the company’s pre-paid subscribers to make local calls across all networks for double the value of the airtime they purchase. More…

During this month, The Scramble For The Dotafrica Domain Name began

The four-long battle for who manages the dot Africa has come to an end last month which means in June you should you should be able to register your .africa (dotAfrica) domain. Two firms South African ZA Central Registry and Kenya-based Dot Connect Africa have been battling in court over who should be the official ICANN-accredited registry of the domain. The South African company won the case. More….

MAY

During this month, Barclays Bank Zimbabwe  Was Sold To First Merchant Bank Malawi

First Merchant Bank Malawi has acquired the majority stake in Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe (BBZ) from UK government’s development finance institution CDC Group plc. CDC Group Plc is a development finance institution incorporated in England and Wales. It has supported the building of businesses throughout Africa and South Asia and including Zimbabwe, CDC once had shareholding other companies in Cairns Holdings. The sell putting an end to months of a violent bidding war to take over Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe, Techunzipped can exclusively report. More…

Econet’s Ruzivo Smart Learning Expanded To Ordinary Level during this month

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe has expanded the Ruzivo Smart Learning (Ruzivo) to Secondary School curricula with the addition of Ordinary Level (‘O’ Level) subjects. The latest development will see Forms 3 and 4 pupils being able to access quality, convenient and affordable education via their mobile phones, tablets, laptops or any internet connected devices. The following subjects will initially be offered; Mathematics, Geography, Integrated Science, English, Shona, and Ndebele. More…

POTRAZ Zimbabwe To Implement Mobile Number Portability

In a bid to deepen competition and force mobile phone operators to provide better service to their customers, Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) has been mulling for the introduction of Mobile Number Portability (MNP) for also most 4 years now. POTRAZ is inviting tenders for the provision of mobile number portability implementation consultancy services a tender in the Sunday Mail. More…

JUNE

Steward Bank posted usd8.4 million profit.More …

Man Gets Bail For Intercepting 7 000 Econet International Calls

For years, experts have cautioned of vulnerabilities in the network that routes phone calls and cellular service but those attacks may be more widespread than anyone comprehended. For more than a year, a Tor Hidden Service has been offering ongoing access to telecom’s private SS7 network for as little as $500 a month. More…

ECOCASH EcoCash Integrated With Zinara For Mobile Money Payments At Tollgates

Zimbabwe’s leading telecommunications and Technology Company Econet Wireless and the Zimbabwe National Road Administration (Zinara) today announced a partnership that will see tollgates linking directly with customers’ EcoCash wallets. In a first of its kind in Zimbabwe, all EcoCash registered customers will now be able to link their vehicles with their mobile money wallets, load their EcoCash toll wallet in advance and enjoy express convenience when driving through tollgates. More…

JULY

Kaspersky Free Antivirus Launched Globally, But Will Zimbabweans Use It?

Kaspersky has started offering its free antivirus program global launch which covers the core anti-malware capabilities while leaving more advanced features as the dominion of its paid-for products. More ….

FINTECH Bitfinance Adds Litecoin And Dash

BitFinance, a leading African blockchain company, and crypto-currencies exchange has added two additional crypto-currencies to its exchange, Bitcoinfundi. The company has added Litecoin and Dash. The two currencies join Bitcoin, which has been traded on the exchange for the last one and half years. The additional virtual currencies have been available for trade over the last few days. More…

Kangai’s Chamber Application Dismissed

Former  NetOne chief executive Reward Kangai’s bid to block the recruitment of his successor following his rushed exit from the state-owned mobile phone operator last year suffered a major blow today. Kangai’s urgent chamber application to prohibition the recruitment of a new CEO for NetOne was denied with costs. More…

AUGUST

Social media reacted to Kwese license saga:  More…

ELEARNING Ruzivo Smart Learning acquired 150 000 Users… And Responsibility

Tablets, laptops and digital learning are gradually being used to reach students with little or no access to education.

“Recently Ruzivo Smart Learning, Zimbabwe’s leading e-learning platform for primary and secondary students powered by Higherlife Foundation and Econet Wireless recently celebrated reaching over 150 000 users on the platform nationwide!” Ruzivo said in a statement about the company’s new milestone. More…

Telone Unveiled Double Data Promotion To Shake Up Market

customers signing up for a new Telone Broadband plan will be eligible for double the usual data allowance, “similar to the promotion” run by Econet late last year.

TelOne, Zimbabwe’s State-owned fixed telecoms operator, has launched Double Data Promotion providing subscribers with double the data when they buy. More…

SEPTEMBER

BAZ challenges Kwese licence

Kwese switched off pending court ruling

The latest developments on the Kwese, BAZ Sage will break the hearts of many entertainment famished Zimbabweans who had already bought Kwese TV decoders or were planning to do so.

It seems the Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe (BAZ) is determined to shut down Kwese TV by all means necessary, it seems. BAZ has managed to suspend Kwese TV from broadcasting following the Supreme Court appeal against the initial High Court ruling which had ruled in favor of Dr. Dish, the official distributor of Kwese TV in Zimbabwe.

More…

Kwese TV “Wins Court Case Again”

The latest developments on the Kwese, BAZ (Broadcasting Authority of Zimbabwe) Sage will bring joy to the hearts of many entertainment famished Zimbabweans who had already bought Kwese TV decoders or were planning to do so. The High Court has allowable Dr. Dish to continue selling Kwese TV decoder. Remember Dr. Dish could not sell the service because the BAZ had gone to the Supreme Court to challenge the earlier High Court ruling that allowed Dr. Dish to sell Kwese. More…

October

Steward Bank Records $8.5 Million Profit In 2017 Half Year

Econet financial service institution arm, Steward Bank, posted their financial year-end results ending 31 August 2016.The bank recorded $8,5 million after-tax profit more than trebled from $2,6 million in the same period last year, driven by a significant increase in revenue. More…

TELECOM Econet’s TMT Model Driving Business Growth

Econet Wireless Zimbabwe today announced solid half-year financial results for the 6 months from March to August 31, 2017, posting a 17% increase in revenue of $353 million, and an increase in profit to $49 million, buoyed by the growing contribution of non-voice products as the company’s converged TMT (Telecoms, Media, and Technology) model begins to reap dividends. More…

This Zimbabwean Built A Helicopter In His Backyard

Zimbabwe claims a tremendous literacy rate In the country with about 92,1 percent in literacy and is amongst the top Africa. There is a fascinating paradox complicating development in Zimbabwe and a low gratitude for innovators. Zimbabweans who have a love for aviation are on the rise and that is a fact. More…

NOVEMBER

Where Does Your Expired Data Go? Is this A Form of Theft?

Imagine withdrawing $100 bond notes from the bank and keeping it in an envelope at home. A month later, you go to the same bank and they refuse to accept your money for a transaction saying your banknotes are expired. How would you feel? More…

Under Age Social Media Use Gaining Momentum

Social media giants are letting children aged 11 and 12 sign up for profiles despite a supposed ban on those under 13.Parents are not widely aware of the minimum age guidelines for popular social media platforms.Social media makes it possible for users to conveniently stay in touch with friends and family who are far away. It also enables one to connect with like-minded. A study conducted at primary schools revealed that most children from the 5th to the 7th grade have WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. More…

Robert Mugabe Resigns As President Of Zimbabwe

Robert Mugabe has resigned as president of Zimbabwe with immediate effect after 37 years in power, the speaker of the country’s parliament has said.The announcement came during a hearing to impeach Mugabe and launches the nation into a new era as uncertain as it is hopeful. More…

Bona Mugabe’s husband Simba Chikore Resigned From AirZim

Former President Robert Mugabe’s son-in-law Simba Chikore has resigned from Air Zimbabwe (AirZim), just after a year of being appointed chief operations officer. More…

Mnangagwa Issues Proviso For Externalised Funds

One of the troubling questions in the Zimbabwean economy is about externalization of funds. The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has alluded to more than $2 billion that was externalized last year. More…

Zimbabwe Still Regarded A High-Risk Nation For Cyber-Attacks

Simply put, a cyber-attack is an attack launched from one computer or more computers against another computer, multiple computers or networks.Cyber-attacks might be broken down into two broad types: attacks where the goal is to disable the target computer or knock it offline, or attacks where the goal is to get access to the target computer’s data and perhaps gain admin privileges on it. More…

DECEMBER

Netone sues ex CEO over mismanagement

Mr Kangai was sent on forced live in from Netone last year in August 2016. One of the controversial issues at the parastatal is that management, led by Mr. Kangai owned Firstel Cellular in their individual capacities but do not want to pay the $11 million that they owe the mobile operator. NetOne and Firstel Cellular entered a service provider agreement in which Firstel was mandated to find clients for NetOne contract lines and then remit the money collected from the subscribers to the service provider, less its commission.

After his dismissal, Netone has now approached the High Court seeking to recover its losses occasioned by Mr. Kangai’s alleged poor management.More…

Counterfeiters Get Crafty: A Spike In Counterfeit Bond Notes In Harare

Fraudsters are using their arts and crafts skills to dupe businesses and unknowing pedestrians into accepting fake bond notes.It’s the gift-giving time of year and one of the most requested gifts is simply money. As most Zimbabweans will be coming in from the diaspora, it’s likely that they will be victims of counterfeit money. More..

Steward Bank Fails To Meet Cards Demand

A number of Steward Bank customers have experienced delays in receiving their corporate cards. Some customers have complained that they applied for their cards in October but as of yet, they have received them. A process which is supposed to take not more than 14 days. The issues pertaining to the Steward Bank Corporate Card have been a worrying trend. More…

RBZ Has Set Date For ZB Bank Divorce

The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has set December 31, 2017, as a deadline for the divorce of ZB Financial Holdings Limited (ZBFHL) from Intermarket Holdings Limited (IHL). The split between the two which have been operating as a single company for the past 11 years is now imminent, as last week after details emerged that their relationship had irretrievably broken down. More…