Zimbabwe Sole Broadcaster, ZBC In Corporate Turmoil

Hope Chizuzu, Correspondent

HARARE – A pandemic comparable in size to Covid-19 hit the Pockets Hill in June when, without any interview or scrutiny by the corporate governance unit, Adelaide Chikunguru was hired as the ZBC CEO.

The move dashed any hopes of recovery for the public broadcaster as her first move on August 11, just three days before the Dr Tayi chaired ZBC board met, Ade forced a 100 percent salary initial increment for all workers to be reduced to 70 percent.

The workers committee had met the employer and secured the pay rise, but the CEO, who already earns five times more than the directors, who are just a grade lower, wasn’t covered in the increase.

They reckon her salary was way way too much already. The meeting resolved that the increase be effective from August 1, 2021.

But Friday 27th was the pay day and no increment was effected.

The explanation given by Chikunguru was – the issue awaits authorisation by the the corporate governance unit, which is a lie.

The CGU deals only with top management, which is CEO level and higher.

Ironically, the CGU didn’t see it fit and corporate to examine Ade contract, salary and benefits which is a requirement.

Her contract was allegedly drafted at the ministry of Information, from whence she draws her power and authority.

The CGU was conveniently ignored. Not only that. As the ordinary workers struggle for survival the corporation paid ZWL685K to Lorimak for the CEO interviews that never took place. Who pocketed the moola (money)?

When Ade left Tongaat, ZBC paid relocation fees to the tune of ZWL285K as if she was a ZBC employee.

Who was making all these decisions which are clearly neither corporate nor governance?

In fact the whole transaction was un-parliamentary. Ade, who has teamed up with the financial cancer Vongai Muzenda, the duo milk the corporation a combined ZWL 1.5m in salary and allowances, never mind the collateral paid for comfort.

The stinking Muzenda contract has had tongues wagging for the longest time with no solution in sight.

The good doctor board chair, has effectively forgotten about this rotten egg in the kitchen. Even minister Mutsvangwa, clearly the most hardworking if not effective minister in this government today, risk being drawn into this rustle.

Shuwa kuda kuwanzira Mai Mutsvangwa basa nezvinhu zvisina musoro wese.

Why keep Muzenda, whose storied stay and exit from ZiFM can’t even suffer repeats on The Page worse?

The details are too gory for a public read like this. Suffice to say, she doesn’t deserve to stay a day longer on ZBC payroll.

It doesn’t matter if she has a speed dial to chairman Tayi or spare keys to some honourable. The public deserve better than this.

Can we surely cry auditor general, Mildred Chiri to remove these spikes in the cycle?

Of course, the workers have spoken, albeit on empty stomachs even after an increase was agreed on.

So, will this delay in paying the increase affect the review upwards due in November?

Ade, the workers have spoken. They want Muzenda, whom you have taken in as a drug, out of the corporation.

They want their salaries paid with agreed increment. They want better working conditions. They’re not worried about anything more than the vampirish Muzenda contract.