ZBC operates four national radio stations beamed on Frequency Modulator and a Shortwave Station based in Gweru – Voice of Zimbabwe. The corporation also has the country’s sole television broadcaster, ZTV.
Last month, anonymous employees put forward a lengthy dossier chronicling corruption by senior officials at the state run broadcaster led by Chief Executive Happison Muchechetere, a war veteran.
The reports were directed to the anti-corruption commission and copied to Information Minister Webster Shamu. Employees allege that management staff awarded themselves salaries ranging between $ 5,000 and $20,000 plus vast allowances, while their own average salaries of between $ 300 and $500 were not being paid in time.
Disgruntled employees told The Zimbabwean *********** that they are yet to get their August salaries and management was not forthcoming in addressing their plight.“All that is being said is that the company does not have money,” said one worker at Pockets Hill. “What makes it painful is that we languish in poverty while our bosses grant themselves company’s loans to buy very expensive cars,” said another employee who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Workers at the broadcaster’s Gweru station said they were shocked to receive $60 as salary payment last week. “What do you do with $60 when you have gone for two months without pay?” asked an irate reporter.
Another worker said the report made to Anti-Corruption Commission had worsened the situation called upon relevant authorities to intervene. “It is now like we are being punished for reporting them as they are now more arrogant while the commission is doing nothing against them,” said the source.
ZBC Public Relations Manager, Sivukile Simango told The Zimbabwean that the workers have since received their dues. “They have been paid up to date wages and I do not discuss salary issues with the press,” he said, adding that the allegations remained speculation until proven otherwise.
Post published in: News