Zimbabwean government officials are concerned over alleged rising levels of piracy in the country.

This is according to Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Minister, Nelson Chamisa speaking at the launch of Microsoft’s Windows 8 software in Zimbabwe yesterday.

Harare – Computer operating system giant, Microsoft has officially launched the Windows 8 system in Zimbabwe, with officials showing concern over software piracy, which they said is on the increase.

“From the rankings that were done by the Business Software Alliance in terms of software piracy, our country is not faring well and it’s a source of concern for us policy makers,” he said.

Chamisa said however, that software developers had to introduce a pricing model that was suitable for developing markets such as Zimbabwe as a way of fighting software piracy. Pirated software is usually sold at relatively lower prices compared to the original software.

The Windows 8 computer operating system, which is likely to cost between $300 and $400 in the Zimbabwean market, was first introduced last year in countries such as South Africa. Microsoft uses channel partners to distribute its products in the Zimbabwean market.

Sam Kundishora, the permanent secretary in the ICT Ministry, said: “We are putting our heads together as government, the ICT Suppliers Association of Zimbabwe, the Computer Society of Zimbabwe and Microsoft to sensitize and create awareness of the bad effects of piracy,” Kundishora said at the launch.