Zimpapers has reaffirmed its stance that employees who accept large gifts face dismissal, following a row over Wicknell Chivayo’s handouts to staff at its Capitalk FM radio station.
The dispute began after Capitalk presenter Phathisani Sibanda accepted a car from Chivayo. Chivayo also offered US$1,000 to each employee in Zimpapers’ radio division, with a second vehicle going to Capitalk station manager Yvonne Tivatye.
Zimpapers’ gifts policy caps acceptable presents at a declared value of US$100.
After a meeting of its Sustainability and Media Ethics Board Committee on Wednesday, the company restated the policy and warned that breaches could result in dismissal.
“The board mandated Zimpapers management and staff to adhere to the company’s Gift Declaration Policy in order to maintain the company’s integrity. Please be guided accordingly,” the company said in a notice.
Chivayo has launched a scathing attack on Zimpapers management, questioning the company’s wage record.
“What upsets me the most is that most companies go three or four months without paying workers salaries but superiors raise their big heads and try to apply so-called corporate governance rules when they receive amazing gestures like this,” he wrote on X.
“Salaries on time first and good working conditions then apply your corporate governance later, or else be the first CEO to break those senseless rules.”
He also mocked the company’s US$100 gift limit, claiming the Toyota Fortuner GD6 given to Sibanda had been “discounted” to US$100 and the Toyota Aqua given to Tivatye was valued at US$50.
Beyond the vehicles, Sibanda is set to receive a US$150,000 house in Waterfalls, Harare, for a payment of US$80. Chivayo further announced interest-free loans of US$2,000 each for all 30 employees in Zimpapers’ radio division, repayable over 10 years with a five-year grace period.
“This is a very small transaction, so no security is required and no loan agreement will be signed,” he said.
According to ZimLive, Sibanda and Tivatye will be called to disciplinary hearings within days after receiving the vehicles, an event Chivayo captured in a video posted online.
Related:
Chivayo Mocks Zimpapers Gift Ban, Says Fortuner Now US$100 And Aqua US$50
Zimpapers Staff Ordered To Return Chivayo’s Gifts Under New Bribe Rules