Prof Jonathan Moyo dissolves ZBC Board, CEO sent on leave

The Minister of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services, Professor Jonathan Moyo, has dissolved the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation board with immediate effect.

ZBC CEO Happison Muchechetere has also been sent on leave with full benefits with immediate effect.

Allan Chiweshe, the General Manager Radio Services, has been appointed acting CEO.
 
Chiweshe has been with the ZBC since 1985.

In a statement, Professor Moyo said the decision has been taken in order to enable an audit of the national broadcaster, saying it will facilitate the crafting and implementation of the long delayed turnaround strategy for the organisation that has been negatively affecting the welfare of ZBC employees.

"It transpired during the meeting (held on October 28, 2013) that the turnaround strategy, about which the Ministry had grave reservations, had not been considered or endorsed by the full ZBC Board prior to its submission to the Ministry. Consequently, the ZBC Board requested 10 to 14 days to agree on and submit a turnaround strategy considered and endorsed by the full Board. Some 17 days have lapsed since that commitment.

"After making enquiries related to the matter this morning (14 November, 2013), the Ministry received a letter from the ZBC Board Chairman this afternoon, essentially confirming that the Board and Management are not yet ready with the overdue turnaround strategy," the statement read.

Professor Moyo said his ministry has been engaging the ZBC board and management to find a lasting solution to the challenges being faced by the national broadcaster, but failed to do so after the days requested by the Board and Management, hence the decision to dissolve the Board and send the CEO on paid leave until further notice.