Customers Demand Compensation as Econet Apologises for Network Blackout

Zimbabwe’s biggest mobile network provider, Econet Wireless, is under fire after widespread outrage from subscribers who were left disconnected for nearly four days — with many declaring their trust in the service is “over.”

The disruption, which affected data connectivity, airtime purchases, and basic balance inquiries, sparked a flood of complaints on social media, where users blasted Econet for failing to communicate early and for offering a mere apology without compensation.

In a public statement, Econet confirmed that data services had been restored and said:

“This notice confirms the restoration of our data connectivity services. We apologise for any inconvenience or service disruption caused by recent challenges. Customers still experiencing issues are advised to restart their devices.”

But for many Zimbabweans, the apology wasn’t enough.

Retail outlets and informal traders in Harare revealed to Afrogazette that they suffered massive losses due to EcoCash outages, which left customers unable to pay.

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One customer expressed frustration saying,

“I even failed to buy Russian and Chips at Bakers Inn along Robert Mugabe on Friday because of network challenges.”

Others took to social media, demanding compensation and regulatory intervention from POTRAZ.

Below are some of the searing reactions:

@BarristerWenyu: “And what are you going to do to compensate loses we incurred due to your poor services?”

@lamit_zw: “Ndangogarira number dzangu dze business but if it wasn’t for that dai ndakaenda kuNetone kare.”

@Awkmike: “Without compensation, this message is useless. Imagine the people who bought daily data; imagine a child who juiced their last dollar to contact their parents but the network failed, and they get kidnapped just because of it 😭😭 you don’t know the extent of the consequences.”

@martinmanyange: “I need a reimbursement for hourly data bundles I bought on Thursday.”

@VMusinachirevo: “We now use your lines for Ecocash and not for Data Connection thank you.”
@kudaville: “You can’t just say sorry for the inconveniences caused; you must compensate. takumakayi.”

@Chef_Tkay: “Are you going to compensate for the loss?”

@krieta: “Wow after 4 days… Apologies for the inconvenience would be acceptable if you give the whole country unlimited access to data and calls for the same period of time you inconvenienced them.”