Zimbabwe dismisses US$52 million ZBC license fees allegations

The Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services has dismissed as false and malicious an article published in today's edition of the Zimbabwe Independent alleging that US$52 million collected from licence fees is unaccounted for.

In a strongly worded statement, the Ministry said it notes "with serious concern and utter disdain" the claims contained in the article, describing them as unfounded allegations, falsehoods and malicious insinuations aimed at tarnishing the image of His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa, as well as the Board and management of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).

The Ministry categorically rejected the US$52 million figure, labelling it an exaggeration and a complete fabrication. It stated that the actual revenue collected from licence fees is "nowhere near the thumb-sucked figure" cited in the publication.

According to the statement, there has been no Government audit or forensic audit on the matter because no evidence of malpractice has been presented to warrant such action. The Ministry further indicated that ZBC's internal auditors have not flagged any irregularities relating to licence fee collections.

The Ministry also refuted what it described as a "highly insulting narrative" suggesting that the President reassigned a Minister as a punitive measure for raising governance issues. It said this claim was a deliberate distortion of facts intended to question the wisdom and integrity of the Head of State.

It emphasised that the reassignment of Ministers is a constitutional and administrative prerogative of the President, exercised in the best interests of the country's developmental agenda. To suggest that the President would punish a Minister for exposing wrongdoing, the Ministry said, amounts to a gross misrepresentation of his character and a reckless attempt to create a false narrative of discord.

Furthermore, the Ministry criticised the newspaper for allegedly failing to observe basic journalistic ethics and protocol, noting that the reporter did not seek comment from the ZBC Chief Executive Officer. It added that the publication has not produced any evidence to support claims that ZBC exceeded its approved expenditure limits.

As the authority responsible for overseeing ZBC, the Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and public accountability. It announced that ZBC is scheduled to undergo its regular audit in March this year, with the results to be tabled before Parliament for scrutiny in line with established legislative processes.