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Midlands Correspondent
The country’s sole trans-border broadcaster, Voice of Zimbabwe (VoZ), has been failing to transmit signal outside the country since October last year due to a malfunctioning transmitter.VoZ, a subsidiary of Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) went on air in 2002 on the short wave band to counter pirate radio stations which are broadcasting into the country propagating the regime change agenda.

Despite failing to transmit, workers at the Gweru-based radio station are still reporting for duty adhering to three eight hour shifts for twenty four hours.

The station has since resorted to filing stories for other radio stations in the ZBC stable to remain relevant.

Media, Information and Broadcasting Services Permanent Secretary, George Charamba confirmed the development.

He said government was working flat out to ensure that the station resumes broadcasting outside the country’s borders.

Charamba said: “As government we are aware of the problems at the VoZ and we are working round the clock to ensure that short wave transmitters that service the station at Guinea Fowl are repaired.

“We have since directed the country’s signal carrier Transmedia to procure spares so that the transmitters  are fixed. VoZ is an important entity as it carries the story of Zimbabwe outside our borders to safeguard the country’s sovereignty.”

Charamba said the migration from analogue to digital broadcasting will not affect short wave transmission of the radio station.
Members of the new ZBC board chaired by Fr Gibson Munyoro which was put in place by Broadcasting Services Minister, Professor Jonathan Moyo, recently visited the radio station to familiarise themselves with VoZ operations.

The board urged ZBC and Transmedia  to meet and find a solution to ensure  that the station resumes broadcasting.