Zimpapers suspends Group Chief Executive Editor Elias Mambo amid ZBC licensing controversy**

By Staff Reporter

The board of Zimpapers has suspended its Group Chief Executive Editor, Elias Mambo, pending investigations linked to the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) radio licensing controversy.

In a letter dated 26 February, the board, chaired by Doreen Sibanda, advised Mambo that his suspension will take effect from 1 March while investigations are conducted.

The development follows recent turbulence within the Ministry of Information after President Emmerson Mnangagwa reassigned former Information Minister Jenfan Muswere to another portfolio.

The controversy began on 2 February when Muswere wrote to terminate Helliate Rushwaya as chairperson of the ZBC board, citing alleged corporate misgovernance. Soon after, The Independent published a report claiming that US$52 million in radio licensing revenue at ZBC could not be accounted for.

The Information Ministry disputed the claim, questioning its accuracy and procedural integrity. Muswere was later reassigned, while the dismissals of Rushwaya and board member Craig Matambo were nullified and referred to the Attorney General’s Office for legal review.

The Independent editor Faith Zaba subsequently acknowledged the story had been published without adequate verification, issued a written apology to Rushwaya and the ministry, and retracted the article. The publication also suspended senior reporter Freeman Makopa pending internal investigations.

Attention has since turned to Mambo amid allegations he may have been linked to the flow of information behind the disputed report. However, no official findings have confirmed his involvement.

Mambo previously worked at The Independent and later founded an online publication before serving as Personal Assistant to Muswere at the ICT Ministry. He later joined Zimpapers as General Manager and was promoted to Group Chief Executive Editor following leadership changes at the company.

Additional allegations suggest he may have attempted to discourage publication of Faith Zaba’s apology letter within the Zimpapers group. These claims remain under investigation and have not been substantiated.

The Ministry of Information oversees both Zimpapers and ZBC, placing the matter within a closely linked governance framework. Investigations are ongoing, and no final conclusions have been made public regarding Mambo’s alleged role.
Source: Zim Online