Pirated South African soapies flood F/town streets

SHINGIRAI MADONDO
Correspondent | Sunday May 19, 2013 00:00

 

The vendors have taken advantage of soapie-starved Batswana who have been denied their regular dose after the recent switch-off of South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) channels from the free-to-air bouquet.  A weekly dose of a soapie goes for P20 from mostly Zimbabwean vendors at the Francistown Bus Rank.Since last month, pirate DVDs of the soapies have flooded Francistown streets with customers clamouring for the illegal products. The vendors beat the law by playing hide-and-seek with the police and council officials. 'I am fully aware that selling these pirated DVDs is against the law as inscribed in the Copyright Act of Botswana,' said a Zimbabwean vendor, who only identified himself as Sibanda. Sibanda who operates from the Francistown Bus Rank said Batswana are buying the pirated DVDs like hot cakes.Besides, Generations, Isidingo and Muvhango, other South African soapies whose pirated DVDs are on sale are 7 de Laan and Zone 14.  'Generations and Muvhango are the most bought DVDs,' said Sibanda.  He explained there are very few Afrikaans speaking people in Francistown who can watch 7 de Laan.  The vendors are getting the pirated DVDs from South Africa.