Staff Writer
Postal and Telecommuniations Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe says it will regularize operations of pirate courier service providers commonly known as Malaichas.
According to POTRAZ the move is meant to ensure participation of small businesses in the courier services sector.
Speaking Monday at World Post Day and the International Day for the Universal Access in Chivi, Masvingo province, POTRAZ director general Dr Gift Machengete said the authority seeks to tap into thriving e-Commerce.
“With over 8 billion parcels being sent through the postal network each year, the posts are certainly thriving on e-Commerce.
“To ensure we have a piece of that cake, POTRAZ has expanded its licensing categories to include Commercial Inter City Courier Licenses and Commercial Intra City Courier licenses.
“The move also seeks to regularize operations of pirate courier operators commonly known as Malaicha’s, Dr Machengete said.
“In addition to mail and parcel services, the Posts are also a key player in financial inclusion around the world. In fact, the Posts are the world’s second largest contributor to financial inclusion, behind banks but well ahead of mobile phone operators and microfinance institutions. This too is driving postal sector revival and growth.”
He said POTRAZ rolled out projects countrywide to advance access to information, particularly through the provision of ICTs.
In Masvingo Province, POTRAZ set up thirteen (13) Community Information Centres (CICs) at ZIMPOST Post Offices.
Further to this the Authority deployed four Containerised Village Information Centres and is constructing a further 4 CICs with postal outlets.
“To note is that some of the established CICs have training facilities where community members receive free training in basic computer appreciation so that they also participate in the digital economy,” he said
In addition to CICs, the Authority has erected four (4) shared based station towers in Malipati, Pahlela, Nemashakwe and Svuure.
In terms of e-learning 67 schools from Masvingo Province have received a total of 800 computers under the e-learning program.
Further to this, 50 schools in the Province have received a total of 1500 Computers under the ongoing Computer Lab Per School program.
In the interest of inclusivity in the access and use of ICTs, the Authority is running ICT programs for persons with disabilities where centres housing people with disabilities and special needs are equipped with assistive ICT software and hardware.
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