ZBC retrenchments tribal: Byo residents

News
SOME disgruntled Bulawayo residents have formally approached Zanu PF Makokoba legislator and War Veterans deputy minister Tshinga Dube to intervene over the sacking of nearly all Ndebele programme producers at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s (ZBC) Radio Zimbabwe

SOME disgruntled Bulawayo residents have formally approached Zanu PF Makokoba legislator and War Veterans deputy minister Tshinga Dube to intervene over the sacking of nearly all Ndebele programme producers at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation’s (ZBC) Radio Zimbabwe.

BY NQOBILE BHEBHE

The matter was raised during Dube’s constituency development meeting on Saturday.

“Report of segregation from Radio Zimbabwe of Ndebeles and Ndebele programmes,” the agenda item read.

Dube’s spokesperson Notiwani Dlodlo confirmed the residents expressed their disgruntlement to the legislator.

“It’s true the item was on the agenda and people, not only from Makokoba but other constituencies, expressed their deep concern to Dube.

“I think he ( Dube) will take up the matter with the relevant authorities.”

ZBC insiders told Southern Eye that the majority of Ndebele-speaking producers who were in charge of the languages programmes were retrenched in July leaving only three junior staffers to run Ndebele programmes.

All Xhosa programmes have also been scrapped because of the absence of producers.

“This is a thorny issue at ZBC now. Nearly all Ndebele producers were kicked out during the retrenchment frenzy ignited by the July 17 Supreme Court ruling.

“What amazed us is that Shona producers were not affected. This will have a negative impact on Ndebele programmes,” a former ZBC Ndebele producer said.

The insider said after the sacking, the affected workers had received calls from top Zanu PF officials in Matabeleland who are seeking to have them reinstated.

“These guys (Zanu PF) have requested that we supply them with details of all fired Ndebele producers and the programmes they were in charge of.

“They want to engage the ZBC top brass on this. They said the region has been marginalised for too long by State institutions and it’s time for real action.”

The source said those who were quickly re-engaged on contract basis were given extra programmes to produce.

“For instance, you will find a situation where one producer is now in charge of 10 programmes.”

Efforts to contact ZBC spokesperson Gladman Bandama for comment were fruitless as he was not picking calls on his mobile phone yesterday.