30Ngwee Tax, Tariff or Levy on Internet Calls

There had be an uproar regarding the government's decision to introduce a levy on internet calls. This has been after the Minister of Information and Broadcasting Services, who is also the chief government’s spokesperson, Ms Dora Siliya, announce that government had introduced a 30ngwee charge a day on internet calls. According to government, this introduction was in a bid to save jobs in telecommunication companies like MTN, Airtel, Zamtel that are under threat from internet telephone calls. This, however, has not been received well by the citizens with many accusing the government of attempting to stifle freedom of expression and access to information amidst lack of Access to Information Law. Nonetheless, clarity is required in terms of showing a system in which the 30ngwee levy will be used to save mobile telecommunication companies like Zamtel, Airtel and MTN who already charge users for airtime and data usage. It would be very sad to see a well-intended levy diverted to unclear ends.