Herald editor suspended over 'dying economy' story

The Herald senior assistance editor, George Chisoko, has been suspended for publishing a business story in the State-controlled daily highlighting Zimbabwe's dying economy.

In the usually candid story, the paper highlighted what economists and millions of ordinary Zimbabweans talk about every day, and which private newspapers routinely publish- that the Zimbabwean economy is now on its knees and on the verge of total collapse.

The story in question was aptly headlined: Feb Inflation points to Dying Economy.

The editor of The Herald, Caesar Zvayi, confirmed the suspension yesterday, but claimed that the story was "false and alarmist".

Zvayi said Chisoko had been placed on a two-week suspension and would resume duties on April 4.

Happiness Zengeni, the business editor who originated the story and the deputy chief sub editor who handled the story, received written reprimands.

Sources at the government daily said authorities were "livid when this obvious truth" was published in the newspaper.