The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) faces a liability of close to $2 million after former chief executive officer Happison Muchechetere won his arbitration case against the State broadcaster.
BY SILENCE CHARUMBIRA
Muchechetere was awarded his full salary and benefits dating back to November 2013 when he was sent on forced leave. Before he was sent on leave, Muchechetere earned about $40 000 a month in salary and allowances. His lawyer Lovemore Madhuku yesterday said Muchechetere would get all his money as his earnings were lawful. “They (ZBC) were asked to pay his salary from the time he was sent on forced leave. He was earning a lawful salary and he will get that in full,” said Madhuku. Muchechetere said he was surprised that before the results from the hearing were out, the Ministry of Information, Media and Broadcasting Services was already making other allegations. “We went for a hearing and we have not been told of the outcome and I am surprised they are making fresh allegations. I did not receive any paper and I am only learning of the lawsuit from newspapers. I do not have a single paper notifying me of that,” Muchechetere said. “It is more than two years now since I was sent on forced leave and I have not received anything so I am supposed to get my salary and benefits.” Muchechetere said the ministry was trying to harass him after failing to prove a case against him. “It is more than two years now and they are just coming after me. I do not know what this guy [Information Minister Jonathan Moyo] has against me. All this hullabaloo is unnecessary for me and the corporation,” he said. “I have nothing against anyone and they should just leave these matters to rest because there is no case. No one else has said anything about this matter from the former minister and board, but only the current minister. I do not know what he wants me to do. Maybe just drop dead and he will be happy.” Muchechetere said the $58 million suit that was published in a local daily was largely a ploy to keep delaying processes.
