Zimpapers: Pathisani, Tivatye Dismissed Over Gift Policy Breach in ZW

• Zimpapers fired Capitalk FM presenter Pathisani Sibanda and Star FM station manager Yvonne Tivatye as part of commencing retrenchments.
• Their dismissals followed their acceptance of high-value gifts from businessman Wicknell Chivayo, which breached Zimpapers' US$100 gift policy.
• Approximately 154 journalists are expected to leave the 135-year-old state-run publisher due to a new shift making jobs redundant.
• Senior reporters from Zimpapers' Bulawayo office also received dismissal papers, and the company's television station will be pulled off DStv from September 30.
• Initially cautioned for the policy breach, the employees' subsequent dismissal highlights strict enforcement of corporate governance during a period of significant restructuring.

The company's decision to act on policy breaches during a period of Zimpapers employee retrenchment Zimbabwe could set a precedent, emphasizing that strict enforcement of corporate governance rules, including those related to gifts, is paramount, particularly when employment decisions are being made.

Zimpapers, the state-run and publicly-owned media conglomerate, has initiated a significant restructuring exercise, leading to the dismissal of prominent figures including Capitalk FM presenter Pathisani Sibanda and Star FM station manager Yvonne Tivatye. These dismissals are part of a broader retrenchment drive announced by the 135-year-old publisher, which indicated a new strategic direction aimed at removing individuals whose roles had become redundant.

Both Sibanda and Tivatye had previously accepted high-value gifts from controversial businessman Wicknell Chivayo earlier in the year. This action constituted a breach of Zimpapers' internal gift policy, which sets a limit of US$100. While they, along with other staff who received gifts from Chivayo, were initially cautioned and retained, their recent dismissals coincide with the company's wider workforce reduction efforts. The company's actions highlight a strict enforcement of its corporate gift policy, particularly in the context of ongoing organizational changes.

The dismissals of Sibanda and Tivatye are not isolated incidents but rather components of a comprehensive retrenchment program affecting the entire Zimpapers group. The company anticipates that approximately 154 journalists will be departing as part of this organizational overhaul. In addition to the high-profile radio personalities, senior reporters from Zimpapers' Bulawayo office have also reportedly received their dismissal papers, signaling a widespread impact across various departments and locations.

Zimpapers operates a vast media portfolio, encompassing several prominent newspapers such as The Herald, The Sunday Mail, The Chronicle, The Sunday News, H Metro, and B Metro, alongside numerous smaller publications. The group also manages multiple radio stations and a television station. As part of the ongoing restructuring, the Zimpapers television station is scheduled to cease its broadcast on DStv from September 30, further illustrating the extensive nature of the changes being implemented by the media stable.

The dismissals at Zimpapers underscore the critical importance of adhering to corporate gift policies, especially within the context of broader workforce reductions. The acceptance of gifts exceeding the company's US$100 threshold by employees like Pathisani Sibanda and Yvonne Tivatye, while initially met with caution, ultimately became a significant factor in their termination during the retrenchment process. This situation highlights how breaches of internal codes of conduct, even if previously addressed, can serve as grounds for dismissal when companies undertake strategic restructuring and redundancy exercises.

This case involving Zimpapers Pathisani Tivatye gift policy dismissal ZW provides a pertinent example for other Zimbabwean companies. It suggests a potential increase in scrutiny on employee conduct concerning gifts and conflicts of interest. The company's decision to act on policy breaches during a period of Zimpapers employee retrenchment Zimbabwe could set a precedent, emphasizing that strict enforcement of corporate governance rules, including those related to gifts, is paramount, particularly when employment decisions are being made.

Lawyers and compliance officers should review client corporate gift policies and internal codes of conduct for clarity and strict enforcement, especially in the context of retrenchments, as breaches can serve as grounds for dismissal. This case also signals potential increased scrutiny on employee conduct regarding gifts and conflicts of interest in Zimbabwean companies.

Source: Original reporting via New Zimbabwe