More Shake-Ups At Zimpapers 
19 January 2025
Spread the love

Munacho Gwamanda- Uncertainty is hovering at the Zimbabwe Newspapers Group (Zimpapers) after the company fired three senior executives last week in a major shake-up widely linked to political interference in the state-controlled media.

Last week, the company fired long-serving chief executive officer Pikirayi Deketeke (PD), chief finance officer Farai Matanhire, and chief marketing officer Tapuwa Mandimutsira. 

Veteran journalist William Chikoto was appointed the acting CEO in place of PD.

The listed government-controlled company operates an expansive media empire that includes leading newspapers The HeraldSunday MailChronicle, and Sunday News

It also runs Star FM, Diamond FM, and Capital FM radio stations and commercial printing services.

Sources at the Herald House, the Zimpapers head office said the new leadership would bring more changes in the editorial department of all the news channels.

They said sweeping reforms across Zimpapers’ platforms, including its print, radio, and television operations are imminent.

These developments come against the backdrop of long-standing allegations of Zanu PF’s direct interference in the editorial and operational independence of state media.

Zimpapers has often been accused of functioning as a propaganda arm for the ruling party, prioritizing its political agenda over journalistic integrity.

Critics argue that political meddling compromises the media house’s ability to operate as a credible source of information.

Efforts to obtain a comment from Deketeke were unsuccessful at the time of publication.

This story is developing.