Zimpapers retrenches 154 employees amid restructuring

Zimpapers, Zimbabwe’s state-run media group, has commenced a major restructuring exercise resulting in the retrenchment of 154 employees. The company cited declining advertising revenues, rising operating costs, and a strategic shift toward digital media as primary drivers for the job cuts.

Among the most prominent individuals affected are Capitalk FM presenter Pathisani Sibanda and Star FM station manager Yvonne Tivatye. Their dismissals follow a controversy involving high-value gifts received from businessman Wicknell Chivayo earlier this year. Reports indicate Chivayo provided Sibanda with a 2025 Toyota GD6 and Tivatye with a Toyota Aqua, following a separate incident where US$30,000 in cash was presented during a radio program.

The controversy is particularly notable because Zimpapers implemented a gifts policy in 2024 to protect journalistic independence, which prohibits employees from accepting gifts exceeding US$100 without declaration.