HARARE, Zimbabwe — The Zimbabwe Union of Journalists has raised alarm over alleged unpaid salaries at Alpha Media Holdings, saying staff were reportedly paid just US$50 each on December 24 as a partial settlement of salary arrears dating back to January 2025.
In a statement issued Friday, ZUJ said it noted “with serious concern reports that Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) employees were allegedly paid a paltry US$50 salary each on December 24 this year.”
The union said it was “very disturbed that the payment was said to be partial settlement of salary arrears that have been outstanding since January 2025 when AMH employees were last paid.”
The union characterized the situation as a “gross violation of basic labor regulations” and a blow to the dignity of the profession. Alpha Media Holdings, one of Zimbabwe’s largest private media houses, publishes titles including NewsDay, The Standard, and The Zimbabwe Independent.
While the union expressed a desire to engage with AMH management to find a “lasting solution,” it also signaled that it is prepared to take more formal action.
“We commiserate with our journalist colleagues at AMH and assure them that ZUJ will do everything within its power, including pursuit of legal remedies, to ensure AMH honors its salary obligations to them,” the statement read.
The union emphasized that the sustainability of a “vibrant media” in Zimbabwe is directly linked to the fair compensation of journalists. Maponga called on all media employers to prioritize their payroll obligations to members of the “fourth estate.”
As of Friday afternoon, Alpha Media Holdings had not issued a public response to the union’s allegations.
