The head of the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) Happison Muchechetere who was sent on leave pending an audit was earning a salary and allowances totalling nearly US$40 000 per month while workers went for more than six months without pay.
But after Information Minister Jonathan Moyo wielded the axe on the entire ZBC board including Muchechetere, the CEO’s dirty linen is now being hung out to dry in the public. According to reports since Muchechetere was appointed ZBC boss in May 2009 he has drawn US$2,28 million in salaries and allowances.
Below is a list of Muchechetere’s benefits
Salary: US$27 000 per month
Housing allowance: US$3 500 per month
Domestic workers’ salaries: US$2 500 per month
Entertainment allowance: US$3 000 per month
General allowance: US$3 000 per month
Fuel allocation: Unlimited
Vacation: Five business class air tickets annually, three regional business class air tickets annually and unlimited local air travel
Additional package: ZBC servicing his mortgage, constructing an entertainment centre at his house and constructing a security wall
All this was revealed on Monday during a follow up meeting to discuss challenges faced by ZBC between Information, Media and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Supa Mandiwanzira, acting ZBC chief executive Allan Chiweshe, management and workers’ representatives.
Addressing journalists after the meeting at Pockets Hill in Harare, Mandiwanzira said it was shocking that management was earning that much while workers had no salaries.
“Workers’ representatives who were part of this meeting were shocked by these numbers and they complained bitterly that the disparity between management salaries and workers were not only shocking but appalling,” he said.
“There was a suggestion that they also take a pay cut of between two and five percent, but they said they would want to consult with their constituency if they would agree to that. We (Government) cannot support an institution, which does not relate its earnings for either staff or management to performance,” he said.
Mandiwanzira said management had indicated that it would ensure that workers got salaries before Christmas.
“I want to assure workers that the ministry is working hard to ensure that salaries are paid at least by the time we go for Christmas. There are efforts underway right now and the ministry is engaging with Treasury to ensure that there is some kind of assistance to pay salaries at ZBC,” he said.
“The entire Government is concerned with this matter and wants this issue resolved so that there is something to bring cheer to workers before Christmas.”
Mandiwanzira said the Audit Comptroller General would soon issue a tender to an auditing firm to undertake the forensic audit at ZBC.
