ZBC fires more workers

Former News Anchor Rumbidzai Takawira

HARARE – The struggling Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) on Saturday fired more workers with managers, newsreaders, journalists, engineers and internal security personnel all being targeted. It’s not clear how many workers were sacked but estimates say 50 to 100 workers were shown the door yesterday.

Last week the state broadcaster, heavily controlled by Zanu PF, sacked 400 workers and closed its Gweru-based Voice of Zimbabwe station. It also shut down its second television channel following the dismissal of its workers.

This now means close to 500 workers have lost their jobs at ZBC since a Supreme Court ruling last month allowing employers to terminate employment contracts on three months notice.

 Those fired on Saturday include recently appointed news manager Chris Chivinge, news readers Sonangani Ncube and Elizabeth Chengeta, Power FM DJ Tinashe Chiname, producer Dorothy Chidzawo, engineer David Chinyamunyamu and an administration staffer Emma Shamuyarira.

Despite being fingered for fraud and bleeding the broadcaster of millions of dollars, ZBC news boss, Tazzen Mandizvidza, kept his job after agreeing to turn informer and testify against his co-accused who have now been sacked.

Mandizvidza had been suspended alongside CEO Happison Muchechetere, Elliot Kasu (General Manager, Finance), Allan Chiweshe (General Manager, Radio Services) and Ralph Nyambudzi (Head of Finance).

Other staffers dismissed in the same week included newsreaders Evermore Sandati, News Anchor Rumbidzai Takawira, reporter Fletcher Ndhlovu and business journalist, Lennon Mutseura.