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Mashudu Netsianda/Nqobile Tshili, Senior Reporter
EIGHTEEN candidates, among them, ZBC Montrose Studios’ acting head Dr Omphile Marupi and Bulawayo lawyers Mr Tanaka Muganyi and Mr Kholwani Ngwenya, have been shortlisted to attend public interviews to fill the eight posts of members of the Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC).

Included on the shortlist is Ms Miriam Tose Majome, AB Communications chief executive officer Ms Susan Makore, ZBC journalist Mqhele Tshuma, Christian College of Southern Africa (CCOSA) principal Mr Tichaona Zinhumwe and University of Zimbabwe (UZ) senior lecturer Professor Ruby Magosongwe.

The shortlisted candidates to serve on the ZMC were nominated out of a total of 38 and they will attend interviews on Friday in the Senate Chamber at Parliament Building.

In terms of the Constitution, members of ZMC must be chosen for their integrity and competence in administration, their knowledge and understanding of human rights issues and the best practices in media matters.

In a statement, the Parliament of Zimbabwe said due to Covid-19 regulations, members of the public wishing to witness the interviews will be limited to a small number.

However, members of the public can follow proceedings through social media platforms such as ZOOM, Twitter and Facebook livestreaming. The links to those platforms are obtainable on www.parliament.gov.za.

The interviewees are required to wear face masks and expected to adhere to all Covid-19 protocols as directed by the Ministry and Child Care.

“The Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRO) is mandated, in terms of sections 237 and 248 of the Constitution, to select suitable candidates for appointment by His Excellency, the President, to serve on the Zimbabwe Media Commission. There are eight vacancies in the Commission,” read the statement.

Ms Susan Makore

Nominations closed on February 28 and the interviews could not be held earlier due to the Covid-19 national lockdown.

“The CSRO met on Wednesday, 17th June 2020 and carried out an exhaustive analysis of the nominated candidates to decipher their suitability for consideration to serve on this commission. The following 18 out of the 38 nominated candidates were shortlisted for interviews to be held on Friday, 3rd July 2020 in the Senate Chamber at Parliament Building, corner Third Street and Kwame Nkrumah Avenue, Harare,” read the statement.

Other shortlisted candidates are Dr Phillip Pasirayi, Messrs Tatenda Chiweshe, Nketa Mangoye-Dhlamini, Jasper Maphosa, Aleck Ncube, Alois Neza-Sikuka, Rtd Major Edward Mbewe, Ms Florence Ziyera, Ms Dumisani Mashingaidze and Mrs Mandida Gusha.

Meanwhile, 22 candidates have been nominated to fill up Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission (ZHRC) vacancies following retirement of four commissioners last month.

ZHRC commissioners’ Dr Ellen Sithole, Dr Joseph Kurebwa, Mr Japhet Ndabeni-Ncube and Ms Kwanele Jirira retired at the end of their respective terms.

In a statement yesterday, Parliament’s Committee on Standing Rules and Orders (CSRO) announced 22 nominees from 32 candidates that had signalled intentions to fill the vacant positions.

Among the nominated 22, is Professor Philani Moyo, Dr Madlenkosi Moyo, Dr Ernest Dube, Dr Admark Moyo, Dr Catherine Muchechetere, Dr Mclarence Mandaza, Mr Stanley Moyo, Mrs Dorothy Moyo-Ngwenya among others.

“The CSRO was advised of the four vacancies in the said commission which were going to occur on the expiry of their term of office, in line with the aforesaid mandate, an advertisement was placed in the national newspaper on the 14th February 2020 requesting the public to nominate persons for possible appointment with a view to filling the said vacant posts. The nomination process closed on the 13th March 2020. The interviews could however not be held earlier due to lockdown occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic,” reads the statement.

The aspiring candidates have been given timelines of when their interviews will commence starting from 8AM ending at 4:40PM.

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, members of the public are encouraged to follow proceedings via social media platform Zoom, Twitter, Facebook Livestream. — @mashnets