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VMCZ complaint update January-February 2012
Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe
February 01, 2012

Parties Complaint Status
Geoffrey Nyarota vs The Daily News
  • Mr Nyarota launched a complaint against The Daily News over an article carried by the newspaper in its 18 March 2011 edition. The paper carried a picture of Mr Nyarota under the headline "We are Back."
  • Mr Nyarota says the use of his picture under that headline is misleading as it insinuates that he is part of the Daily News team. He wants the newspaper to correct what he considers misleading information.
  Status: Pending
Lucky Tshuma v/s B-Metro
  • Lucky Tshuma a freelance photo-journalist has filed a complaint after B-Metro newspaper used one of his photographs without permission. Tshuma says the practise by the newspaper is unethical and accuses the paper of infringing copyright laws.
Status: Finalised

The matter was heard before the Media Complaints Committee and a decision will be communicated to all parties soon.
Lionel Saungweme v/s NewsDay
  • Saungweme has filed a complaint with the MCC over the use of a photograph by NewsDay in its 21 June 2011 edition. Saungweme claims the photograph used is his and NewsDay had no right to use the photograph. Saungweme wants NewsDay to apologise and acknowledge that they had no right to use the said picture.
The matter was brought before the Media Complaints Committee and during adjudication the parties requested for a period of two weeks to solve the matter amongst themselves.
Tafara Chigumira v/s RadioVop and The Zimbabwean
  • MCC received a complaint from Mr. Tafara Chikumira over an article headed "ZBC journo fingered in Zanu violence' published in Radio VOP on 08 November 2011.
  • Mr. Chikumira is aggrieved because he alleges that the article published is false. He also alleges that The Zimbabwean and Radio VOP proceeded to publish the story without contacting him to give his side of the story.
Status: Pending

Letters have been written to The Zimbabwean and to Radio VOP over the complaint and the two media houses have responded to the allegations. The MCC will hear the matter soon
Clr Taurai Demo versus Financial Gazette
  • Councillor Taurai Demo filed a complaint with the Media Complaints Committee over an article headed "Deputy Mayor buys stand in Zim Dollar" published in the Financial Gazette of 12 - 18 January 2012.
  • Clr Demo is aggrieved because he alleges that the whole story is not true.
  • Clr Demo says he has not at all bought any property from the City of Gweru in 2011 as claimed by the article and further says all details cited are false.
  • Clr Demo says the article is false and he strongly requests a complete retraction of the whole story.
Status: Pending

A letter has been written to the Financial Gazette over the matter and the Media Complaints Committee is awaiting a response from the Financial Gazette
Clr Taurai Demo versus The Chronicle
  • The Media Complaints Committee received a complaint from Clr Taurai Demo over an article headed "Soldier Commits Suicide over Wife's Infidelity" published in the Chronicle of 21 January 2012.
  • Clr Demo is aggrieved because he alleges that the whole story is not only inaccurate but malicious and damaging to his person as deputy mayor of Gweru.
  • He says at no point was he involved in an extra-marital affair with the woman he is alleged to be having an extra-marital affair with.
  • Clr Demo says the story has many inaccuracies, as the woman he is alleged to be having an extra-marital affair with is not even a secretary as alleged in the story.
  • Clr Demo says the whole article is false and he strongly requests an apology and a retraction over his mentioning in the story.

Status: Pending

A letter has been written to The Chronicle over Clr demo's complaint and the Media Complaints Committee is currently awaiting a response

Morris Mutema versus NewsDay
  • The Media Complaints Committee received a complaint from Clr Taurai Demo over an article headed "Soldier Commits Suicide over Wife's Infidelity" published in the Chronicle of 21 January 2012.
  • Clr Demo is aggrieved because he alleges that the whole story is not only inaccurate but malicious and damaging to his person as deputy mayor of Gweru.
  • He says at no point was he involved in an extra-marital affair with the woman he is alleged to be having an extra-marital affair with.
  • Clr Demo says the story has many inaccuracies, as the woman he is alleged to be having an extra-marital affair with is not even a secretary as alleged in the story.
  • Clr Demo says the whole article is false and he strongly requests an apology and a retraction over his mentioning in the story.
  • The Media Complaints Committee has received a complaint from Mr Morris Mutema, the Acting Finance Director, with the city of Kwekwe over an article headed "Audit Report confirms looting of funds" published in the Newsday of 17 January, 2012.
  • Mr Mutema is aggrieved as he says he was not contacted to comment on the matter since he is in charge of finances in the city and accusations of looting point to him.
  • Mr Mutema also claims several stories have been written about him without any comment being sought from him.
  • Mr Mutema alleges that the kind of reporting exhibited by the Newsday reporter in Kwekwe is unprofessional and is meant to tarnish his image. Mr Mutema claims he phoned the newsroom and spoke to one of the editors who promised that he will be contacted when stories are written about him.
Status: Pending

A letter has been written to The Chronicle over Clr demo's complaint and the Media Complaints Committee is currently awaiting a response
Morris Mutema versus NewsDay
  • The Media Complaints Committee has received a complaint from Mr Morris Mutema, the Acting Finance Director, with the city of Kwekwe over an article headed "Audit Report confirms looting of funds" published in the Newsday of 17 January, 2012.
  • Mr Mutema is aggrieved as he says he was not contacted to comment on the matter since he is in charge of finances in the city and accusations of looting point to him.
  • Mr Mutema also claims several stories have been written about him without any comment being sought from him.
  • Mr Mutema alleges that the kind of reporting exhibited by the Newsday reporter in Kwekwe is unprofessional and is meant to tarnish his image. Mr Mutema claims he phoned the newsroom and spoke to one of the editors who promised that he will be contacted when stories are written about him.
Status: Pending

A letter has been written to NewsDay and the MCC is awaiting a response before hearing the matter
Dr Katherine Mauchaza v/s NewsDay
  • Dr Katherine Mauchaza filed a complaint with the Media Complaints Committee after the Daily News carried a story entitled 'Doctor in the Dock' published by the newspaper on 4 January 2012. Dr Mauchaza was later acquitted on 20 January, 2012.
  • The Daily News however did not carry the story on the acquittal of Dr Mauchaza.
  • Dr Mauchaza wanted the Newspaper to carry the acquittal story.
Status: Finalised

The Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe arranged a meeting between Dr Mauchaza and the Daily News. The Daily News, as a result of the meeting carried the story on Dr Mauchaza's acquittal
Mrs Irene Zindi versus the Zimbabwean
  • Mrs Irene Zindi filed a complaint over two stories published in the Zimbabwean. The first article was published on the 27th of March 2011 under the headline "Ex MP Zindi vandalises farm" while the second article was published on 20 November 2011 under the headline "Coffee project destroyed: Workers"
  • Mrs Zindi says the two articles are defamatory and wants the Zimbabwean to apologise.
Status: Finalised

When the issue was brought to the attention of the Zimbabwean the newspaper requested the Media Complaints Committee to allow the paper and the complainant's lawyers Chibaya and Partners Legal Practitioners to resolve the matter amicably. The committee acceded to the request

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