BULAWAYO - Most journalists from the private media boycotted the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) congress held here on Friday where pro-Zanu (PF) propagandist, Dumisani Sibanda, was elected president.The former political editor for The Chronicle who fanned political violence in the countdown to the June 27 presidential run-off last year, was elected amid controversy.
Sibanda is the news editor of The Sunday News and will take over the presidency from Matthew Takaona.
The venue for the congress was changed at the last minute to How Mine which is 30km from the city and inaccessible to many of the journalists.
Freelance journalist, Frank Chikowore, who was vying for the post of secretary general, said he boycotted the election in protest over what he said was a flawed process.
This was a farce. It was a sham election. The venue was shifted several times. To start with, it was never advertised in the newspaper despite a placement in The Herald advertising the holding of the congress.
The Vice Presidents post went to Mercy Pote of the ZBC who polled 31 votes against Terrence Mapurisanas 10. The Standard newspapers senior reporter, Nqobani Ndlovu, who was vying for the position of vice-president, but did not attend in protest over change of venue, is challenging the ZUJ election results in the High court.
My lawyers are finishing up working on papers to challenge the ZUJ results in court. I stay in Bulawayo where the congress was held but I didnt know the venue until the last minute and this is unacceptable.
Michel Chidemhe of the Herald was elected the unions second Vice and Foster Dongozi retained his position of Secretary General.
The committee members who were elected at this weeks congress were freelancers Pamenus Tuso, Nunurai Jena, Grail Kupakuwana ,Reggis Changawo and Emmanuel Mavata.
The congress was attended by 42 delegates from the unions branches throughout the country.
Post published in: News