The Herald and New Ziana Peddled Lies

By Levi Mhaka

Published on December 20, 2006

On December 18, 2006, we were treated to a New Ziana news agency comical story in the Herald newspaper in which "the business sector says it is willing to work with Government and Labour to resolve the prevailing foreign currency shortages in a bid to improve capacity utilisation, create employment and ensure price stabilisation."

The story is said to have emanated from a joint statement of ten (!) organizations that represent the business community in Zimbabwe. The Herald Business Editor, Victoria Ruzvidzo, should know better. Those trying to hoodwink us and pull wool over our eyes should be smarter next time.

Organised business in Zimbabwe is formally represented by CZI, ZNCC, EMCOZ, Bankers Association of Zimbabwe (BAZ). These private sector based organizations come together under a loose coalition called 'Business Forum' (also referred to as 'Corporate Zimbabwe'). Consequently, all of them have affiliate regional-based and sector-based organizations, like that of CZI include Chamber of Mines, Master Bakers Association of Zimbabwe, Construction Federation of Zimbabwe, etc.

I wondered if the story was aunthentic, why would any of these bona fide organizations not identify themselves. The story had neither identifiable business leader or business executive.

This was fake or a false story! It did not meet ordinary journalistic standards and criteria.