Major shake-up at ZBC

BY PATIENCE NYANGOVE THE Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation has appointed 10 new senior managers in a move seen as an attempt to bolster Zanu PF’s propaganda ahead of elections that President Robert Mugabe wants this year. ZBC also re-appointed its former editor in chief Chris Chivinge who is now the business development and quality assurance manager. He is believed to be close to President Robert Mugabe’s spokesperson George Charamba. Part-time disc jockey Bridget Gavanga is the new Power FM manager while Nonceba Mnkandla is now the head of Montrose Studios in Bulawayo. The changes have also seen other managers that include former bulletins manager Freedom Moyo moved to head the current affairs section, Walter Mufanochiya is now heading radio services, Samuel Mkhithika (head radio services, Bulawayo), Innocent Manase (manager quality assurance, radio) and Samuel Magade (quality assurance manager). Bureau chiefs will also be moved to new bases countrywide in a move that is said to have raised the possibility of mass resignations. Sources said the appointments will come at a huge cost for the struggling broadcaster that has perennial problems in paying its workers as each manager is entitled to a BT50 vehicle. Sivukile Simango, the ZBC spokesperson confirmed that there were new appointments but went on to launch a tirade against The Standard. He said the paper always wrote negative stories about the country’s sole broadcaster. Other appointments Other new appointments are Clifford Mufiri (head news and current affairs), Albert Chekai (manager news reporters), Charles Kawadza (manager radio bulletins), Joseph Nhara (Bulawayo manager news and current affairs), Dorothy Mavolwane (assistant news editor), Tendai Munhengwa (assignments editor) and Autherman Mukotore (manager TV studios).