The Zimbabwe Newspapers Group (Zimpapers) has told staff to reject gifts from Wicknell Chivayo after he handed out money during a visit to Capitalk FM. Presenter Phathisani Sibanda has been given an ultimatum to turn down a new vehicle or resign immediately.
During the visit, Chivayo gave $30,000 in cash for “lunch” to be shared among 30 Zimpapers employees in the radio division. He also offered to upgrade Sibanda’s Toyota Aqua to a 2025 Toyota GD6.
Under a gifts policy introduced in 2024, Zimpapers staff may not accept gifts worth more than $100. Any gift must also be declared to the company.
Each of the 30 staff members will be allowed to keep $100, but the remaining $27,000 must be returned to Chivayo.
The policy was introduced after Chivayo gave Sibanda the Aqua during a separate radio appearance in 2024. At the time, Sibanda was an independent contractor, and the company could not take action against him. He became a full-time Zimpapers employee in January this year.
A company executive who asked not to be named said the gifts policy was designed to “maintain editorial standards” and “remove any appearance of bribery”.
Zimpapers CEO William Chikoto said, “This is in compliance with the gift policy. They are not allowed to accept anything with a value of more than US$100.”
Zimpapers insiders said the company has suggested that the remaining $27,000 could instead be redirected as a donation to the company and used to buy vehicles for general staff use.
More: ZimLive
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