October 01 - 08, 2014

Media Monitoring Report for Zimbabwe

Posted on October 1, 2014

Compiled by – MIGS Desk Officer for Zimbabwe – Mike Taylor

Daily News, October 2, 2014
“Heads roll at Herald”, by Lloyd Mbiba

R. Mugabe “lashed out” at state media, singling out the Herald for running stories about recent factionalism in the Zanu PF.
Justin Mutasa and Adolf Majome were allegedly “sent packing”.
Daily News sources said the untimely departure was related to the anger of Zanu PF officials relating to the publication of stories regarding Zanu Pf factionalism.
The official statement concerning the resignations were that Mutusa was retiring, while Majome’s contract had allegedly expired.
More Zimpapers executives are expected to lose their jobs following Mugabe’s statement.
Mugabe has accused information minister Jonathan Moyo of using State-owned media to divide the Zanu PF.

Zimbabwe Independent, October 3, 2014
“Tough Times for Zim Media Sector”

Zimpapers recorded US$ 2m in losses in the first half of 2014 due to falling revenue, high fixed overheads and huge finance costs on short-term borrowing.
Zimpapers attributed to financial difficulties as being the reason for the departure of Mutasa and Majome.

The Herald, October 3, 2014
“Zimpapers bids farewell to CEO, FD”, by Elita Chikwati

Zimpapers held a ‘farewell party’ for CEO Justin Mutasa and Financial Director Adolf Majome.
Mutasa joined Zimpapers in 2002 as CEO and claimed that the farewell bid was emotionally distressing.
Mutasa said that he “. . . salute[s] editors for defending the national interest of the country.”
The Herald did not provide a reason for the departure of the two executives.

Daily News, October 3, 2014
“Zanu PF officials want Mugabe out – Grace”, By Lloyd Mbiba

Grace Mugabe announced that some Zanu PF officials are feigning love for her husband and are planning to overthrow him. She indicated this at a campaign rally.
She did not mention who was involved in the conspiracy, but pointed out that Robert Mugabe was aware of what was going on. Grace claimed that because Mugabe is a Godfearing man, he was praying for the conspirators.
She also spoke against party factionalism; she mentioned vote-buying and working with Americans (a reference to the ‘dirty dozen’ scandal) among the problems plaguing the Zanu PF. She indicated that the Americans were after Zimbabwean land.
Grace Mugabe finished her speech by indicating that MDC-T leader Morgan Tsvangirai was ‘finished’.

Daily News, October 6, 2014
“No evidence against ‘dirty dozen’ MPs”, by Chengetai Zvauya

The Zanu PF has said that it cannot discipline the ‘dirty dozen’ MPs because there is no evidence against them.
Rugare Gumbo, Zanu PF spokesperson, claimed that he did not believe any of the accused would be punished.
MPs accused of collaborating with American charities and the CIA have claimed that the accusations are a result of Zanu PF infighting.

Daily News, October 8, 2014
“MP sues the Herald over ‘dirty dozen’ stories”, by Chengetai Zvauya

Makonde Kindness Paradza is suing Zimpapers for $60,000 for writing that he solicited donations from the United States. He is also suing the editor and the reporter involved in the publication of the story.
Paradza denies all accusations regarding collaboration with the United States in regards to collaboration to overthrow the Mugabe regime and acceptance of donations.

The Herald, October 3, 2014
“First Lady’s rallies begin”, by Takunda Maodza

Grace Mugabe has denounced factionalism within the Zanu PF at her first rally since being nominated as the Women’s League secretary.
She demanded a cessation to in-fighting and insisted to focus on providing potable water and sewer systems to the population instead.
She warned against taking aid from westerners as they have hidden agendas, referring the recent ‘dirty dozen’ scandal where several Zanu PF officials were accused of working covertly with the American diplomats and the CIA.

Montreal Institute for Genocide and
Human Rights Studies