Star Times in trouble in Zambia
October 15, 2013
By Chris Forrester
A month ago (on September 13) it emerged that Zambia’s government had cancelled a 2011 digital terrestrial TV tender awarded to China-backed StarTimes Group . StarGroup subsidiary Star Software Technology won the tender which covered the design, supply and commissioning of the country’s national DTT system. Local reports cited irregularities in the way the tender was handled by Zambia’s Ministry of Information & Broadcasting Services.
StarTimes appealed that decision, and on October 9th Zambia’s Public Procurement Authority wrote to the Broadcasting Ministry saying that there was no mechanism to mount an appeal against its decision to cancel the tender.
“As such, this institution stands by its earlier position as contained in our letter of September 13th 2013. “Given the above, we are in the process of seeking legal advice from the Attorney General’s chamber on the way forward and by copy of this letter, the same matter is being drawn to the chamber’s attention,” said the Minister’s letter.
The Ministry is understood to be now splitting the original all-embracing tender into four parts, covering civil works, studios, network and consultancy services.