Phathisani Sibanda retrenched after Chivayo gifts row

CapiTalk FM presenter Phathisani Sibanda and station manager Yvonne Tibatye have been retrenched by the Zimbabwe Newspapers Group (Zimpapers), months after they became embroiled in controversy over gifts received from businessman Wicknell Chivayo.

The two are among 154 Zimpapers employees being retrenched this week as the state-owned media group restructures its operations amid declining advertising revenues and rising operating costs.

Sibanda and Tibatye are among the most high-profile employees affected by the latest round of job cuts.

The retrenchments come months after Chivayo appeared as a guest on Sibanda's CapiTalk FM programme and handed over US$30,000 in cash, saying the money was for "lunch" to be shared among 30 employees in the radio division.

Chivayo also offered to upgrade Sibanda's Toyota Aqua to a 2025 Toyota GD6, while Tibatye received a Toyota Aqua.

The gifts subsequently triggered an internal controversy at Zimpapers, which had introduced a gifts policy in 2024 aimed at protecting journalistic independence.

Under the policy, employees are prohibited from accepting gifts worth more than US$100 and are required to declare gifts received in connection with their work.

Zimpapers subsequently directed that the 30 employees could each retain US$100 from the cash gift, while the remaining US$27,000 was to be returned to Chivayo.

Sibanda and Tibatye, however, later proceeded to collect the vehicles offered by Chivayo despite the company's position regarding the gifts.

The latest retrenchments affect employees across Zimpapers, which employs more than 900 people, as the group implements a restructuring programme centred on what it describes as a "digital first" strategy.

The strategy is intended to strengthen the group's online platforms while reducing the costs associated with traditional media operations.

Umthunywa editor Gugulethu Ncube is also among the senior employees affected. Ncube was informed on Monday that her services were no longer required.

The Bulawayo-based Umthunywa has already discontinued its print edition and now operates exclusively online.

The restructuring is also expected to have a significant impact on Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN), the group's television operation available on DStv.

Zimpapers is expected to undertake a major restructuring of ZTN as it seeks to cut operating costs and reshape the station around a more digitally focused model.

The latest job cuts represent one of the most significant restructuring exercises at Zimpapers as the company attempts to adapt its traditional newspaper, radio and television operations to a rapidly changing media environment.