Phathisani Sibanda, Yvonne Tibatye Among 154 Zimpapers Employees Retrenched

By Maitengwe Reporter
HARARE — Capitalk FM presenter Phathisani Sibanda and station manager Yvonne Tibatye are among 154 Zimbabwe Newspapers Group (Zimpapers) employees being retrenched as the media company undertakes a major restructuring exercise.
The two are among the most high-profile employees affected by the job cuts, which come months after they were caught up in a controversy involving gifts from businessman Wicknell Chivayo
ZimLive reported on Tuesday that Sibanda and Tibatye had been informed that they were among employees losing their jobs this week.
The retrenchments are being undertaken amid declining advertising revenues and rising operating costs, with Zimpapers saying the restructuring is linked to its digital-first strategy and efforts to strengthen its online operations.
Chivayo gifts controversy
Sibanda and Tibatye's departures come months after Chivayo's visit to Capitalk FM on May 5, during which he offered cash and vehicles to employees at the station.
Chivayo handed over US$30,000 to be shared among 30 employees in Zimpapers' radio division and separately offered Sibanda a vehicle upgrade. Tibatye was also offered a Toyota Aqua.
The gifts triggered an internal dispute because Zimpapers' gifts policy limits employees to gifts worth no more than US$100 and requires gifts to be declared.
The company subsequently directed the 30 employees to retain US$100 each, with the remaining US$27,000 to be returned. Sibanda was also reportedly given an ultimatum over the vehicle offered to him.
The controversy followed an earlier vehicle gift to Sibanda from Chivayo in 2024, before Sibanda became a full-time Zimpapers employee.
Wider restructuring
The latest job cuts extend beyond Capitalk FM.
Umthunywa editor Gugulethu Ncube is also among senior employees reportedly affected, while Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN) is expected to undergo significant restructuring as the company seeks to reduce costs and reshape its television operations around digital platforms.
Zimpapers' latest financial reporting points to pressure on the business, including declining overall revenue, reduced newspaper advertising volumes and continued losses in some divisions. At the same time, the company has been investing in digital transformation and audience-focused platforms.
The retrenchment exercise is therefore affecting employees across the group as Zimpapers attempts to reduce costs and accelerate its transition from traditional print and broadcast operations towards a more digitally focused media model.