The six were suspended following allegations that the state broadcaster had failed to adequately campaign for President Robert Mugabe in the run-up to the March 29 elections.

The Board ruled that ZBH failed to follow proper retrenchment procedures and should have met with the Works Council before coming up with the decision to retrench them. ZBH was then advised to start the process afresh if they still wish to retrench the journalists.

Their suspensions came barely a month after the dismissal of the then chief executive officer Henry Muradzikwa in May 2008 for defying ministerial orders to deny the opposition Movement of Democratic Change favourable coverage in the run-up to the March elections.

MISA-Zimbabwe’s investigations indicated that the journalists were being victimised for not showing enough enthusiasm in supporting the government of President Robert Mugabe.

Source: MISA Zimbabwe

back