Top broadcaster Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa is stepping down from her full-time role at the Zimpapers' Radio Division to pursue other opportunities, NewZimbabwe.com has learnt.
Close associates insisted late Tuesday that her departure was not related to a claimed "political cull" of senior staff at Zimpapers, the media behemoth which owns radio stations Star FM and Capitalk 100.4 FM, where "The Ruvheneko Show" airs.
Listed on the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange (ZSE), Zimpapers is majority-owned by the government, allowing the ruling Zanu PF party to exercise editorial control.
Reports claimed Tuesday that Parirenyatwa had been sacked. She was said to have angered bosses at the company by hosting a programme in which one of her guests during the live show highly criticised the Zanu PF administration.
The programme - broadcast last Wednesday - featured a balanced panel "as is the nature of her shows" - of Danny Musukuma (Zanu PF), Agency Gumbo (MDC Alliance) and the guest in question - opposition National Patriotic Front (NPF) spokesman Jealousy Mawarire who let rip at Vice President Constantino Chiwenga and British Ambassador to Zimbabwe Catriona Laing.
However, in a brief telephonic conversation with Parirenyatwa's close associates late Tuesday evening, NewZimbabwe.com was told that "Ruvheneko cannot have been fired, unless it happened after her resignation which makes no sense.
"It seems this is just a social media frenzy.
Ruvheneko herself when contacted by NewZimbabwe.com said, "I will soon issue a statement on everything.
"Unlike all other online publications who are running with an inaccurate story, I am thankful that you are the first to actually call and verify the facts with me. I am humbled by your interest."
Close associates told NewZimbabwe.com that the respected broadcaster is leaving Zimpapers to pursue other opportunities.
"Ruvheneko had long indicated to management that she was stepping down from her full-time job," said one confidant.
"Her departure had yet to be finalised because company bosses were away from Harare. The Mawarire programme came after she had told Zimpapers that she was stepping down, but it certainly accelerated the process given the circumstances.
"So, whatever changes are happening at Zimpapers - and for whatever reason - have nothing to do with her personally or directly, really.
"She is leaving on amicable terms and by mutual consent."
