ZBC locks out Deputy Sheriff over $300k debt

Zvamaida Murwira Senior Reporter
There was drama at the Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation headquarters in Highlands, Harare, yesterday where the Deputy Sheriff was locked out of the premises to prevent the attachment of property over a $300 000 debt.

The Deputy Sheriff and a convoy of 10 vehicles were stranded at the gate for more than three hours and could not effect the writ of execution awarded to Harare City Council over the debt arising from unpaid rates.

The Deputy Sheriff had brought three two-tonne trucks and more than eight recovery vehicles to attach the ZBC property. Security officers at the main entrance to the Pockets Hill studios could not allow the Deputy Sheriff entrance, causing commotion as his vehicles were blocking other motorists from entering the premises.

Unperturbed, the Deputy Sheriff started clamping vehicles that he could lay his hands on, including those which were about to take journalists to assignments.

The journalists could be seen milling around as some of the vehicles were being clamped, while management ordered that some of the vehicles be driven a distance from the offices and hide cameras and other gadgets.

Sources said the Deputy Sheriff had to walk to ZBC offices to hold talks with management and after more than three hours of protracted discussions, vehicles from the Deputy Sheriff could be seen withdrawing and being parked a distance from the main gate.

ZBC acting chief executive officer Mr Patrick Mavhura said the presence of the Deputy Sheriff at their premises was as a result of communication breakdown.

He said the delay in allowing Deputy Sheriff vehicles into the premises was meant to allow them to verify certain information.

“We approached Harare City Council and offered to provide a payment plan,” said Mr Mavhura. “They gave us two weeks within which to submit the plan and in the meantime we told them that they should inform the Deputy Sheriff of the latest development, but the information seemed to have taken long to get to his office resulting in him coming when it was no longer necessary.”

Mr Mavhura said the Deputy Sheriff left ZBC after receiving confirmation that a payment plan had been agreed upon with the Harare City Council to settle the debt.

He said they had agreed to pay the Deputy Sheriff’s costs for yesterday’s trip.

Some of the goods that were listed on the warrant of attachment were a Toyota Land Cruiser, Iveco Radio U/link, three Mazda BT50s, Rhino BAW, Ford, 300 office desks, 500 office chairs, 100 filing cabinets, 350 office desk tops, maroon couch, Panasonic camera, 50 air fans and an outside broadcasting van.

The State broadcaster is reeling from serious financial challenges that have seen staff struggling to get salaries.