Confusion surrounds Miss Zimbabwe

By Sharon Muguwu and Vasco Chaya

HARARE – Confusion reigns supreme at the Miss Zimbabwe Trust camp following the stepping down of Miss Zimbabwe queen Thabiso Phiri last week over unknown personal reasons.

Since the princess’ bombshell, Phiri has not said much save to say she did it for personal reasons while Mary Chiwenga, the Trust’s chairperson had promised to hold a press briefing on the developments which, she said,  was a big setback to preparations for the Miss World finals.

Chiwenga and her team seem to be clutching at straws as how to properly address the media and yesterday cancelled a press conference after keeping the media waiting for several hours.

Earlier yesterday morning, the Trust had sent a message to journalists: “There will be a press briefing on the way forward for Miss Zimbabwe today (Monday) August 4, 2014 at 13:00 hours. We are kindly requesting coverage.”

But after journalists responded and converged for the press conference at the Trust’s offices, Tendai Chirau, an employee in the ministry of Information who also does communication for the Trust dismissed the journalists without any satisfactory explanation.

Chirau promised to send a press statement that would address and answer all the burning questions pertaining Phiri’s stepping down.

“Comrades, we are sorry that we cannot hold the press conference today but we are going to send you a press statement in the next 30 minutes,” said Chirau.

The Trust’s failure to hold the press briefing and explain circumstances surrounding Phiri’s sudden and unexpected announcement has set the rumour mill buzzing.

There are several theories doing the rounds on why the 22-year-old University of Zimbabwe law student stepped down last week, with some saying it was because of nude pictures she had sent to her boyfriend that found their way into the public domain.

Others are speculating that the only reason why someone will decide to leave the crown in such a manner is if she is pregnant.

The truth is yet to be known.

However, before going to print, Chiwenga finally sent a statement:

“It is now necessary for the Miss Zimbabwe Trust to select a new Miss Zimbabwe in light of the decision by Thabiso Phiri to relinquish the title due to reasons that are personal to her, which the Trust has had to regrettably accept in the interest of upholding and promoting the values of personal honour, integrity, responsibility and transparency as well as in the interest of the Trust’s commitment to create an exemplary model of the Zimbabwean woman.

“The selection of the new Miss Zimbabwe to succeed Thabiso Phiri is an urgent matter, not least because of the need to meet this week’s deadline for the submission of contestants for the Miss World Pageant. In the circumstances, the Miss Zimbabwe Trust will be selecting a new Miss Zimbabwe tomorrow, August 5, 2014, in Harare.

“According to the rules and regulations of the Miss Zimbabwe Trust, which conform to the standards and practices of Miss World, a vacancy in the Miss Zimbabwe title is not filled through automatic succession by the next princess in line, as may happen in similar situations, but is filled by extending the opportunity to all remaining top contestants who wish to compete.

“Thabiso Phiri won the title against seven other contestants who, together with her, made up the “Top Eight”. What this means is that Thabiso Phiri’s successor, to be selected tomorrow, will be chosen from the remaining “Top Seven” who are available and willing to compete for the title.

“The selection will be done under a strict, fair and transparent process that will be overseen by Grant Thornton and Camelsa Chartered Accountants and Auditors and will be
conducted by a new panel of judges that includes Dr Christina Grabowska, Dr Viviek Solanki, Adam Molai, Tinashe Tanyanyiwa and deputy minister of Information Supa Mandiwanzira.

“Also in attendance will be family representatives of the contestants, the full spectrum of the media and officials from Miss Zimbabwe Trust.” Daily News