By Tichaona Katsvamutima
Seventy-one employees of private broadcaster Nkululeko Rusununguko Television (NRTV) recovered just 16.5 percent of an estimated US$278,479.88 salary claim following the forced auction of the broadcaster’s assets, leaving seven months of unpaid wages still outstanding.
Court and auction documents seen by National Interest News show that the sale of attached NRTV assets raised US$53,647. However, after deductions for auction and enforcement costs, the Sheriff of the High Court transferred US$45,901.65 to Ngwerume Attorneys at Law on September 11 for distribution to the claimants.
The recovery effectively covered salary arrears for December 2024 and February 2025, leaving more than US$232,000 still being pursued through legal channels.
Workers’ committee leader Walter Duri said the payment represented only a fraction of the nine-month salary debt awarded by the courts.
“The auction proceeds represent only a minor dent in the nine-month salary debt ordered by the courts,” Duri said.
“We are currently engaging our legal counsel, Ngwerume Attorneys, to initiate the next phase of recovery for the seven months of outstanding financial balances still due to us.”
Auction records show that 61 movable items were put up for sale, including vehicles, television sets, computers, refrigerators, office furniture and other property.
Essential broadcasting equipment was excluded from attachment as tools of trade, according to information obtained by National Interest News, allowing the television station to remain operational.
While employees welcomed the partial recovery, some expressed concern that continued attachment of company assets could eventually force the broadcaster to shut down.
“In as much as we are happy to have recovered part of our hard-earned money that our employer owes, we hope the powers that be would now intervene and ensure the outstanding balances are paid to avoid the continued attachment of properties,” one employee told National Interest News on condition of anonymity.
“That might lead to the total demise of a once vibrant TV station which gave diversity to local television channel options and also gave a livelihood to many families and young individuals.”
The protracted salary dispute comes amid growing concerns over the financial sustainability of Zimbabwe’s media industry, where news organisations continue to face mounting operational pressures.
The developments also coincide with renewed calls by George Charamba, Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet responsible for Presidential Communications, for public funding of journalism in Zimbabwe.
Charamba argued that journalism should be recognised as a public good, warning against leaving the survival of the media industry entirely dependent on unpredictable commercial revenues or foreign funding.
He has proposed public financial support and tax concessions among measures that could help sustain journalism.
Although his remarks were not directed at NRTV, the broadcaster’s financial difficulties highlight the broader challenges confronting Zimbabwe’s media sector, particularly the need to balance institutional survival with the obligation to pay employees.
