Speaking at the Bulawayo Press Club on Friday, Ndlovu questioned the objectivity of the commission in view of its constant sniping at the Daily News, when the application for a licence was before them.
Ndlovu told the press: “I did my best to select a new independent board as directed by the courts because some of people on the previous board were biased against the ANZ. You could hear Mahoso, the MIC chairman, shouting at ANZ, yet the board was supposed to be independent. Former board members were disabled not physically but mentally against The Daily News and The Daily News on Sunday; that is why they were removed to select the new board.”
His comments have caused observers to question his recent re-appointment of most of the members of the MIC, including the chairman. “Perhaps someone higher than him imposed the re-appointments,” said one.
The MIC and the minister have consistently ignored several court orders to grant a licence to Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe, the publishers of the Daily News and the Daily News on Sunday.
A fortnight ago, a new board, formed specially for the purpose of dealing with the ANZ issue, asked the company to submit a new application. Ndlovu said it was now up to that board, which he hoped was independent, to make a final decision.