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Nyemudzai Kakore Herald Reporter
ASSOCIATED Newspapers of Zimbabwe Group, publishers of The Daily News, has allegedly fired two line editors and suspended another for moonlighting for foreign news organisations. Sports editor Enock Muchinjo and parliamentary editor Chengetai Zvauya are reported to have been fired while news editor Gift Phiri is on suspension.

The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists on Wednesday condemned the move against the three senior staffers at The Daily News, saying it left journalists financially hamstrung and jobless. ZUJ secretary-general Foster Dongozi said in a statement that the “purging and culling” of journalists was a worrisome development.

“The union is aware that three senior journalists at The Daily News, namely sports editor Enock Muchinjo, parliamentary correspondent Chengetai Zvauya and news editor Gift Phiri have been dismissed by the organisation,” read the statement.

“We are particularly worried by developments at The Daily News where the dismissal of journalists is fast approaching epidemic levels with fears that more casualties were expected.”

Dongozi said the suspensions were worrisome considering the economic challenges bedevilling the country.

“In an environment of economic challenges where jobs are scarce, we find it odd and unacceptable that management should allow hardships to visit families of fellow Zimbabweans,” he said. “Their (management) hands are dripping with blood.”

Contacted for comment, Daily News group editor Stanley Gama said he could not comment much on the allegations.

“It is not true that three editors have been fired,” he said.

“I cannot comment further on the issue.”

The dismissals come after NewsDay editor Nevanji Madanhire was allegedly forced to step down this week, although he claimed the parting was amicable.