Helliate Rushwaya, the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) Board Chairperson, with the order of the Hon Minister of Information, Dr. Jenfan Muswere, the Permanent Secretary for Information, Mr. Nick Mangwana, and all ZBC Board Members laid charges against former Chief Executive Officer Adelaide Chikunguru, who was suspended pending investigations but resigned from her post.
Among the charges she is facing, Chikunguru is accused of acting unilaterally without the ZBC Board which is the approving authority for Executive Management contract renewals following upon the Chief Executive Officer’s recommendations.
The ZBC Corporate Secretary’s fixed-term contract of employment expired on 31st January. On 21 December 2023, the former ZBC CEO purported to extend the Corporate Secretary’s contract of employment by a period of five (5) years, to lapse on the 31st January 2029. She allegedly did so without the knowledge and approval of the Board.
Chikunguru is also charged with flighting an advertisement relating to the corporate governance and operations of the Corporation on the 15th of January 2024 without board approval.
She allegedly advertised for the posts of Head – Montrose and Security Officer – Montrose Studios on the 26th of January 2024, without board approval in circumstances wherein she was allegedly aware that the Board had agreed on the 22nd of January 2024 to have a moratorium on any further recruitment pending a relook at the organogram. In so doing, she is charged with contravening clause 11.25 of the Code, alternatively clause 11.4, in the further alternative clause 11.19 of the Code.
Chikunguru is accused of having caused the falsification of the records of the Corporation in a manner bordering on fraud prejudicial to the Corporation.
She allegedly caused a requisition for the payment of USD 15,000.00 to a company registered in England and Wales called African Leadership (UK). The alleged purpose for the requisition was advertising for the ZBC in a magazine published by the said company.
The former ZBC CEO allegedly attended the African Persons of the Year Awards Ceremony in Addis Ababa from 22-23 February 2024 without clearance from the former Board Chairperson to attend the award presentation in Addis Ababa.
She is also accused of gross incompetence and lack of skill required of the ZBC Chief Executive Officer and in the further alternative conduct inconsistent with the express and or implied conditions of her employment.
Chikunguru is also accused of having presided over the procurement of internet services that utilised Starlink in breach of the laws of Zimbabwe and exposed a key national assert to a security threat of unquantified proportions. This has also resulted in reputational risk to the corporation.
In addition, she is charged with various acts of financial and administrative malpractices constituting gross incompetence/lack of skill, falsification of records, and conduct inconsistent with the express and or implied conditions of her contract of employment.
By the time of going to print, Chikunguru’s mobile phone had not been reachable for the greater part of Wednesday 6 March 2024.
She is quoted in the media accusing Hon Jenfan Muswera, the Minister of Information, of sexual harassment. Hon Muswere has not formally responded to the allegations against him.