Journalist quits Mirror over harassment

Journalist quits Mirror over harassment

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By Lebo Nkatazo

A SENIOR reporter at the Zimbabwe Mirror Newspapers Group (ZNMG) which was taken over by the country’s security services has resigned citing harassment.

Sources at the newspaper group said the Daily Mirror’s award winning health reporter, Paidamwoyo Chipunza tendered her resignation letter on Monday saying “undue pressure was being exerted on her”.

Chipunza, who joined The Daily Mirror in February 2004, was also the Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (ZUJ) Mirror branch chairperson.

Her resignation follows a purge launched by the Central Intelligence Organization (CIO) against staff perceived to be loyal to Mirror founder and Editor in Chief Ibbotson Day Mandaza, which has seen a number of journalists and members of staff being fired or suspended.

Another senior reporter who was suspended a fortnight ago was set to appear before a disciplinary hearing Monday whose outcome could not be verified immediately.

“Paida tendered her resignation letter on Monday citing harassment," said a journalist at the paper.

"She said she did not have anything to lose since the paper is failing to pay its workers."

Sources said the CIO have put “harsh” working conditions at the Mirror for purposes of getting rid of staff in order to replace them with state agents and their loyalists.

The CIO has been struggling to pay workers at the two titles with February salaries which were due by the 25th of that month still not paid by Monday.
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