MultiChoice Zimbabwe has issued a stern warning against the rising tide of television content piracy, labelling it a severe and growing threat that undermines the local creative industry and the sports broadcasting ecosystem.
The pay-TV giant highlighted that while football is a national passion for Zimbabweans, the illegal streaming of games is crippling the very industry that brings the sport to fans.
Gerald Ngonyamo, Head of Corporate Affairs at MultiChoice Zimbabwe, stated, “This threat is real; it’s all around us and it is growing. It’s not good for the sport or for the fans.” He explained that piracy is often wrongly justified by factors like financial constraints and a lack of explicit legislation, but its consequences are far-reaching.
The problem, described as especially rife in Africa, is fueled by a combination of weak legislation, limited law enforcement, and a high demand for free content. However, Ngonyamo emphasized that piracy is not a victimless act.
“It is all about feeding a criminal system that steals jobs, destroys the creative industry and drives away investment,” he said.
MultiChoice detailed its significant investments in acquiring broadcasting rights and producing local content. A substantial portion of its revenue, the company noted, is reinvested into digital security and pays the salaries of a wide range of professionals, from presenters and journalists to studio technicians.
The broadcaster also warned viewers of the personal risks involved with illicit streams, which are often laden with malicious software and computer viruses that compromise users’ digital security.
Ultimately, Ngonyamo framed the issue as a matter of supporting the local creative economy. “Every click on an illegal link is a stab in the back of the cultural and creative industry,” he said, adding that a strengthened legitimate industry could create more jobs and project Zimbabwean identity globally.
The company ended with a call to action, urging the public to recognize the long-term damage of piracy and to choose legitimate viewing options.
“Let’s fight piracy together,” Ngonyamo concluded.
