VMCZ complaints report January to May 201

Johnson Masawi versus the Newsday
Mr. Johnson Masawi son launched a complaint over a story which appeared in the Newsday of April 27 2012 entitled, "Workers at Masawi Farm offered $13 wages.

Mr Masawi alleges that the story is false as their farm workers were not being paid the amount stated in the newspaper.

Mr Masawi says the only time that they paid their workers low wages was the time when his father Ephraim Masawi was sick and they did not have enough money to pay their farm workers as most of the money was footing his father's hospital bills.

Mr Masawi wants the Newsday to publish an apology as the story was false and meant to tarnish the image of his family.

STATUS: RESOLVED The matter was referred back to the NewsDay newspaper where the paper and the complaint amicably resolved the matter.

Cllr Demo versus The Chronicle
Mr Taurai Demo filed a complaint with the VMCZ over an article entitled, "Soldier commits suicide over a wife's infidelity which appeared in the Chronicle of 21 January 2012.

Demo alleges that the story is false as he never had any extra marital affair with Mr Chitsiko's wife.

Demo wants the Chronicle to publish an apology as the story is completely false.

STATUS: PENDING: The committee reviewed the matter and the complainant agreed to engage the editor of the Chronicle, Mr Innocent Gore, over the story. The complainant after engaging with Mr Gore indicated to the Media Complaints Committee (MCC) that he was not happy with the position the paper gave him over the story and indicated that he wanted the MCC to proceed with adjudication of the matter. The MCC will adjudicate on the matter in due course.

Stanford Zhou versus The Sunday Mail
Stanford Zhou filed a complaint with the VMCZ over an article entitled, "Agony of maintaining someone's child ", published on page D16 of the Sunday Mail of 6 May 2012.

Zhou says the Sunday Mail used a picture of him in a story which does not relate to him thus tarnishing his name.

Zhou says the story has caused unnecessary friction between him and his wife resulting in their separation.

Zhou is seeking legal guidance from VMCZ.

Status Finalised: The matter was referred to the Sunday Mail and Mr Zhou met with the Sunday Mail team where the paper offered to do an apology. However Mr Zhou indicated that he did not only want an apology but wanted monetary compensation. VMCZ however does not deal with matters involving financial compensation and advised Mr Zhou accordingly.

Ishmael Mafundike versus The Herald
Mafundike filed a complaint with the VMCZ over an article entitled,"Ethanol plant to lay off 4500, published in the Herald of 1 May 2012.

Mafundike alleges that the story was entirely false as the plant located in Chisumbanje does not have the stated number of farm workers and allegations that 4500 workers at the plant were at risk of losing their jobs is therefore false.

Mr Mafundike wants the Herald to publish a retraction as the story was false.

Status pending: The complainant in the matter Mr Mafundike indicated that he first wanted to engage the newspaper on the matter first and will revert to the VMCZ after his engagement with the newspaper.

Roger Stringer versus The Financial Gazette
Roger stringer filed a complaint over a letter published in Financial Gazette of 28 January 2010, entitled, "Kereke's planned clinic: Politics or racism at play".

The letter alleged that Mr and Mrs Stringer had made false submissions to their neighbors about Dr Kereke's application to Harare City Council for Special consent to convert one of his residences into a medical centre.

Status: The Financial Gazette published an apology to Mr Stringer, however Mr Stringer feels that the apology is not enough and wants the Financial Gazette to publish a correction to the retraction that was published.