Zim broadcaster suspends execs on R77m probe

Harare - Zimbabwe's state broadcaster said on Monday it has suspended its well-known general news manager Tazzen Mandizvidza and its acting CEO Allan Chiweshe.

The suspensions came as part of a probe into alleged financial mismanagement by top ZBC executives that cost the parastatal up to US$7m (R77.24m).

ZBC chief executive officer Happison Muchechetere was suspended 11 months ago after revelations that he was drawing monthly payments of around R441 382 from the parastatal - which had to borrow to pay him and other top executives.

A forensic report has revealed Muchechetere and his co-accused may have prejudiced ZBC of R77.24m between January 2009 and December 2013.

Muchechetere alone is accused of drawing more than R38.62m.

Revelations of Muchechetere's huge salary triggered a probe into the salaries and perks being paid to top executives by other state-owned companies.

The scandal was later called Salarygate.