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FOR years, Michael Chideme was the face of the communication hub of the City of Harare.
That is until, according to sources, he decided to celebrate the Dubai meeting between businessman Scott Sakupwanya and boxing legend Floyd Mayweather Jnr.
Scott is a Zanu PF Councillor at Harare City Council.
Chideme, a veteran journalist, the sources said, irked many powerful figures, within the council, by posting the picture on one of the WhatsApp groups.
The post did not go down well with some group members, who asked him to remove it, but he refused.
Sources are now saying it cost him heavily as his contract was not renewed when it expired.
Yesterday, Harare Mayor, Jacob Mafume, dismissed the allegations.
He said Chideme’s contract was not extended because council wanted to move in a different direction.
“It’s not true that he was dismissed because of a video, but rather his contract expired,” he said.
“He moved on to new things and the City of Harare moved onto new things as well.”
Innocent Ruwende, who replaced Chideme, as the City principal spokesperson, said:
“Contracts of employment are confidential between the employer and the employee.”
Repeated attempts to get a comment from Chideme were not successful.
Scott met the iconic American boxer and promoter, in May, this year, in Dubai.
Ironically, it was also the month in which Chideme’s five-year contract was coming to an end, and needed extension, for him to remain in his job as principal spokesperson.
Mayweather, who is considered to be the world’s best pound-for-pound boxer in history, went on to appoint Scott as the brand ambassador for his The Money Team (TMT) lifestyle brand.
The legendary boxer, who described Scott as his close friend, said he would be coming to Zimbabwe.
“Africa, here with one of my close friends from Africa, Zimbabwe, I’m on my way,” said the American.
“We’re working on The Motherland Tour. I gotta go back to Africa. I gotta go back to the motherland, but I can’t do it without my man Scott.
“Africa, I’m on my way.”
Online Reporter