Harare - The Zimbabwean government has ordered the closure of the country’s second biggest mobile telecoms company for alleged non-compliance with the country’s laws.

The mobile company, Telecel Zimbabwe, with over 2.5 million subscribers, has failed to pay its operating licence and has also failed to comply with the country’s indigenisation laws.

Addressing journalists in the capital on Wednesday, Information and Communication Technology Minister Supa Mandiwanzira said the recommendation to close Telecel operations is based on the company operating without a licence.

Furthermore, Mandiwanzira said Telecel has breached the country's empowerment laws as enshrined in both the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (Potraz) act and the Indigenisation Act.

Addressing journalists in the capital on Wednesday, Information and Communication Technology Minister Supa Mandiwanzira said Telecel is supposed to stop operations.

“Our position is that Telecel should cease operations because they have been operating without a licence . This is the position that has already been adopted by Cabinet. There is a Cabinet Committee in place to execute the decision of cabinet. That committee is being chaired by Indigenisation Minister Chris Mushowe.

”Government will deal with this issue knowing that there are employees involved and also subscribers in mind but notwithstanding the law is the law,” said Minister Mandiwanzira.

Mobile operators in Zimbabwe were supposed to renew their operating licence in 2013, with the country’s biggest mobile company having paid $137m to renew its licence for a period of 20 years.

However Telecel has failed to pay its licence forcing the government to cancel its licence.

Telecel, a subsidiary of Orascom Telecom Company has a 60% stake in Telecel Zimbabwe while the remaining 40% is held by Empowerment Corporation made up of local Zimbabweans.