Suspended ZBC CEO Muchechetere In Trouble Over Missing Millions
Main News Zimbabwe

Suspended ZBC CEO Muchechetere In Trouble Over Missing Millions

The Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation has instituted disciplinary proceedings against suspended CEO Happison Muchechetere, General Manager Finance Elliot Kasu, acting CEO Allan Chiweshe, General Manager News and Current affairs Tazzen Mandizvidza and Head Finance Ralph Nyambudzi on allegations of misconduct which prejudiced the corporation of more than seven million dollars.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Board said it has completed Phase 1 of an effort to rebuild ZBC.

Muchechetere and Kasu were suspended in November last year, while the ZBC board chaired by Dube was fired after it emerged the four top managers were earning salaries of between US$20 000 and US$27 000, while workers at the national broadcaster went unpaid for seven months. Muchechetere was earning a basic monthly salary of more than US$27 000 and allowances totalling US$12 000 per month, excluding fuel and other generous benefits.

Muchechetere, who became substantive chief executive in May 2009, has drawn salaries and allowances of about US$2,2 million to date.

The ZBC chief and his three senior managers are also embroiled in a multi-million-dollar double-dipping housing scandal.

The four unprocedurally set up a housing scheme with mortgage guarantees from CBZBuilding Society supported by US$1,3 million deposited by ZBC in an investment account.

Although the scheme was approved by Dube on May 5 2010, it was allegedly done without the knowledge or approval of the board.

The agreement for the housing scheme was illegally signed by Kasu, it is alleged, who has no power to authorise such contracts.

In terms of the ZBC purchasing policy, the CEO is empowered to authorise financial transactions of up to US$50 000 without board approval, while transactions from US$50 000 to US$300 000 should go through the State Procurement Board. Under the scheme, Muchechetere was awarded US$250 000, while Kasu, Allan Chiweshe (general manager radio programmes) and Tazzen Mandizvidza (general manager news and current affairs) got US$200 000 apiece to buy houses in the northern suburbs.

 

 

 

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