ZBC news readers wear Mugabe T-shirts

via ZBC news readers wear Mugabe T-shirts 29/11/2014

JOURNALISTS reading the news at the state-controlled ZBC have been ordered to wear Zanu PF T-shirts emblazoned with President Robert Mugabe portrait including that of his wife Grace.

The unprecedented directive could yet bring into disrepute the much maligned broadcaster known for unashamedly backing Mugabe’s ruling Zanu PF party.

Some of the T-shirts are inscribed with the words, “Gushungo Victory Club”.

Mugabe’s wife, Grace, is also on the T-shirts.

Sources at the public broadcaster told NewZimbabwe.Com that the T-shirts had various messages praising the First Family ahead of the next week’s Zanu PF congress.

The T-shirts were distributed to ZBC news presenters, including other workers, by management last week.

“There is already a circular at the notice board at Pockets Hill instructing news presenters to put on the T-shirts whenever they are on air until after congress.

“Presenters of talk-shows and other programmes have also been instructed to wear Mugabe and Grace’s portraits until the end of congress,” said a source at Pockets who refused to be named for fear of victimisation.

ZBC television news bulletins monitored by NewZimbabwe.Com on Saturday confirmed the directive.

ZBC presenters, Soneni Ncube, and Nyasha Makota, on Saturday presented the 5 o’clock Ndebele and Shona news bulletins while wearing the T-shirts.

Zanu PF is embroiled in unprecedented turmoil ahead of the congress after Mugabe’s wife, Grace, went on the rampage attacking Vice-President Joice Mujuru.

She accused Mujuru of attempting to oust her husband at next week’s congress, a charge Mujuru denied.

At least eight Zanu PF provincial chairmen were also kicked out as Mugabe moved to crush a potential challenge at the congress.

Rugare Gumbo, the only surviving member of the Zanu PF war council in the 1970s, was suspended from the party for allegedly fighting from Mujuru’s corner.

Gumbo last week lashed out at Mugabe over the suspensions which he called illegal as the officials were never subjected to a disciplinary hearing.