ZUJ boss steps down over ‘forced kiss’ allegations

The president of the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ), Dumisani Sibanda, has temporarily stepped down from the helm of the trade union in the wake of allegations of indecent assault by a workmate.

Sibanda, who is the bureau chief of the Alpha Media Holdings stable in Bulawayo, announced his temporary stepping down in a brief statement issued by ZUJ secretary general Foster Dongozi.

“ZUJ President, Dumisani Sibanda has announced that he is temporarily stepping aside as ZUJ President after a workmate made allegations of indecent assault. In a brief statement written to the National Executive, the President said stepping aside would allow him to attend to the issue,” reads part of Dongozi’s statement to ZUJ members.

It added that in line with the ZUJ Constitution, Vice President Michael Chideme becomes acting President.

Sibanda is accused of attempting to forcibly kiss a female journalist inside AMH offices in Bulawayo.

However, the allegations were thrown out when Sibanda appeared before an internal hearing recently, allegedly because it took the journalist more than a year to file charges with the company authorities. The alleged victim then made a formal report with the police in Bulawayo about three weeks ago. Radio Vop