ZBH TV Producer In Court

Report by the Herald.
Editor-in-chief Tazzin Mandizvidza appeared in the court last week, at the same time Chris Chivinge was fired for gross indiscipline. 200 employees, some of them journalists are set to be retrenched. Now the Herald carries another story, which shows the rot, confusion and corruption at Pockets Hill.
THE producer of Zimbabwe Television’s Sisonke Mix and Rhythms Unlimited, Blessed Mufandaedza, has appeared at the Harare Magistrates’ Courts for allegedly soliciting for $50 000 bribe from an upcoming gospel musician.

Mufandaedza is being charged for contravening section 3 (1) (a) (i) of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

He pleaded not guilty before magistrate Mr Robson Finsin on Friday and was remanded out of custody to December 4 this year on $12 000 bail. His trial opens on January 17 next year.

Appearing for the State, Mr Richard Masiyiwa alleges that on November 6 this year, Gorden Nzira — an upcoming gospel musician who became popular for his album Seiko — went to ZBH’s Pockets Hill studios where he was presenting a radio programme called "Simbi" with Arthur "Mr Rims" Marime.

After the programme, it is alleged Nzira asked Marime why his music was not being played on television programmes on their way to town.

It is the State’s case that Marime gave him Mufandaedza’s mobile number so that he could verify the issue.

The State further alleges that on November 15, Nzira phoned Mufandaedza and agreed to meet at Meikles Hotel and discuss the issue and to find ways of helping Nzira to market his music.

The two allegedly met on November 16 at Eastgate Shopping Mall where Mufandaedza allegedly demanded a $50 000 bribe to play Nzira’s videos more often on Sisonke Mix and Unlimited Rhythms.