Principals appoint new ZEC boss

Mutambanengwe who was appointed as the ZEC boss in 2010 resigned on 12 February owing to health grounds.

Addressing a press conference today, Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai announced that the principals had selected a new Chairperson but was not at liberty to disclose the name.

“We met today as the GNU principals and agreed on a name. I cannot give you the name because the candidate might not have received the information at the moment,” he said.

Tsvangirai called for the implementation of media reforms before the holding of elections which are expected anytime this year.

“We need media reforms as part of the road map to free and fair elections. Reforming the constrained broadcasting sector before holding elections is the priority for us. We want the broadcast media laws to be reformed and private players like community radios, commercial and other broadcast players to be allowed to operate and give a diverse view of what is happening in Zimbabwe,” he said.

Though two radio stations were awarded licenses last year, Tsvangirai dismissed them as partisan.

“We cannot consider Star FM as an independent outlet because it is an extension of Zimpapers (which owns it) and Supa Mandiwanzira’s radio station as well because he declared his interests in Zanu (PF),” declared Tsvangirai.