ZBC turns down Barwe resignation

via ZBC turns down Barwe resignation – DailyNews Live by Chengetai Zvauya 8 OCTOBER 2013 

Reuben Barwe, Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC)’s veteran chief correspondent has resigned from the State broadcaster, but authorities have refused to cut him loose.

Barwe, 60, confirmed to the Daily News that he resigned last month after reaching the retirement age in March.

However, the national broadcaster declined his resignation and offered him a three-year contract to continue being the chief correspondent the position he held prior to his resignation.

“I reached retirement age in March this year and tendered my resignation in August because I wanted to help cover the harmonised elections, but the ZBC management offered me a new contract for three years and I am still around at the ZBC doing my professional work, which I have been doing since yesteryear,” Barwe said.

Sivukile Simango, the ZBC spokesperson, asked for written questions, which were emailed to him.

Barwe joined the ZBC in 1987 as a junior reporter and rose through the ranks to become the chief reporter.

The reporter, who regularly covers the president’s beat locally and internationally, denied charges that he was biased.

“It is not true that I am biased but I am patriotic,” Barwe said.

“I am not threatened by the political developments in the country as I respect the political processes that are happening.”

Barwe is amongst some Zimbabwean journalists who have been blacklisted by European Union.