(Photo: Abhay Santhosh/Unsplash)
South Africans, who already do not pay for their TV licenses too promptly (only about 18% of all those who have to pay a TV license do so), are in the harness after a supposed message that from now on they also have to pay for a radio license for their cars.
Although many social media users quickly saw through the fake news, others were much more suspicious – and those who still remember the outrageous ban on the sale of cooked chicken and fish fillets may have suspected that this ridiculousness might just be the truth.
Some users did not believe the message, but nevertheless thought that even if it is not currently a requirement, the message was spread as best as possible to test the waters for a future radio license. After all, few things are impossible in South Africa.
Should this be the case, the SABC may have to reconsider it. He is already paying for his vehicle licence, toll gates, car insurance, vehicle services and the renewal of his driver’s license, writes one exasperated social media user.
So “to hell” with a car radio license, he says.
I don’t even listen to radio in my car, SABC content is that boring! Better give me a ticket broer!
I pay:
Car disk renewal annually
Tollgates
Car insurance
Car Service
Drivers license renewalGo to h*ll with this! pic.twitter.com/EnYaqtYBrL
— Lord Russ. (@YesThatRuss) May 8, 2023
The message that has been flying around on social media for the past few days reads: “The SABC is delighted to announce the launch of the new SABC car radio licence.”
It also states that due to its declining income, the SABC is now looking for new ways to collect money. And according to the notice, a car radio license is just the thing to get it right.
The supposed notice also states that a car radio license will cost you R401 annually and that all South Africans who have vehicles with radios in them are expected to keep the radio license with them at all times. The license can be purchased on the SABC’s website, at the post office, or from a car dealer.
The SABC would like to alert the public of a fake media statement which is circulating on various social media platforms titled “INTRODUCTION OF RADIO LICENCES AS PART SABC’S DRIVE TO GENERATE REVENUE”. pic.twitter.com/MrFJ5Y3OMS
— SABC (@SABCPortal) May 8, 2023
And to further confuse South Africans, the kamma notice states that failure to show a car radio license when stopped at a roadblock can earn you a fine of R750 or 90 days behind bars.
The SABC has been fighting fires ever since and has assured South Africans that the notification is fake news.
“The SABC has not issued any media release in which a public announcement is made about licenses for car radios,” says Mmoni Seapolelo, spokesperson for the public broadcaster.
There is a letter doing the rounds on social media that is allegedly from the SABC saying they will charge you to use your car radio by paying a yearly license fee. As much as it could be real, considering our government, it has been confirmed to be FAKE. https://t.co/BPXkwsmcCV
— Nglama Gouws ???????? (@RenaldoGouws) May 8, 2023
