ZBC suspends Mandizvidza, Chiweshe
allan chiweshe

Mr Allan Chiweshe

Paidamoyo Chipunza Senior Reporter
Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation acting chief executive officer Mr Allan Chiweshe and general manager news and current affairs Mr Tazzen Mandizvidza have been suspended to allow for investigations into allegations of misconduct levelled against them.ZBC board chair Father Gibson Munyoro said the pair was suspended as part of a probe into acts of misconduct involving the national broadcaster’s chief executive officer Mr Happison Muchechetere and his top executive team, which prejudiced the corporation of more than US$7 million.

General manager (finance) Mr Elliot Kasu and head finance Mr Ralph Nyambudzi were suspended together with Mr Muchechetere early this year. Fr Munyoro said the forensic audit done by KPMG chartered accountants was revealing.

s“This follows the finalisation of a forensic audit report by KPMG Chartered Accountants which revealed that Mr Muchechetere allegedly profited in excess of US$3,5 million through abuse of office from January 1, 2009 until December 31, 2013,” said Fr Munyoro.

He said Mr Muchechetere was a collusive leader and partner in the fraud and said all those who will be found wanting will be brought to account.

Fr Munyoro said the ZBC board had begun instituting disciplinary proceedings against Mr Muchechetere, Mr Kasu, Mr Mandizvidza, Mr Chiweshe and Mr Nyambudzi.

He said they set up a hearing tribunal chaired by Retired Judge Justice James de Vitte.

“The ZBC has engaged the services of advocate Mr Mazonde, Mr I Murewa and Ms Magundani of Scanlen and Holderness to handle the proceedings on its behalf,” said Fr Munyoro.

Acting head finance and corporate services Mr Patrick Mavhura has been appointed acting chief executive officer for ZBC, while head radio services Mr Chris Chivinge has been appointed acting general manager news and current affairs with immediate effect.

Allegations against Mr Muchechetere and his top management arose early this year when he was suspended for allegedly entering into an agreement with China National Instruments Imports and Exports Corporation (Instrimpex) for the purchase of an Outside Broadcasting (OB) van worth US$100 000.

Mr Muchechetere is alleged to have connived with Instrimpex officials and inflated the figure to US$1 050 000 and fabricated receipts.

He dominated headlines last year after it was discovered that he was earning a salary and allowances totalling US$40 000 per month while workers went for more than six months without salaries.

Mr Muchechetere, who became substantive chief executive in May 2009, drew salaries and allowances approximated at US$2,28 million till December last year.

He was then sent on forced leave to pave way for the forensic audit ordered after Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo dissolved the board led by Mr Cuthbert Dube.

The board had failed to submit a turnaround strategy document within the 14 days it had requested.

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