Reuben Barwe resignation turned down

Reuben Barwe, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation's veteran chief correspondent has resigned from the State broadcaster, but authorities have refused to cut him loose.

Barwe who is 60, confirmed he resigned last month after reaching the retirement age in March.

However the state broadcaster declined his resignation and offered him a 3-year contract to continue being chief correspondent the position he held prior to his resignation.

Barwe joined the ZBC in 1987 as a junior reporter and rose through the ranks to become the chief reporter.

The reporter, who regularly covers the president's beat locally and internationally, denied charges that he was biased.

"It is not true that I am biased but I am patriotic," Barwe said.

"I am not threatened by the political developments in the country as I respect the political processes that are happening."

Barwe was among the six Zimbabwean journalists, Rueben Barwe, Judith Makwanya, Pikirayi Deketeke, Caesar Zvayi, Munyaradzi Huni and Happison Muchechetere who were placed on targeted sanctions by the European Union.

The sanctions were only lifted this year in February after a review by the EU.