Harare – One of Zimbabwe’s leading media group Alpha Media Holdings (AMH) has invited its employees to consider voluntary separation packages, citing a mutual opportunity for staff to pursue “other career opportunities elsewhere.”

The offer was communicated to marketing employees in an internal email from Punish Murumbi, the company’s Communications Executive, seen by this publication.

“The company has put forward a proposal to facilitate mutual separation with employees who are interested in the package,” Murumbi wrote. He directed those considering the option to “go to the HR office to get proper guidance on the matter” to enable them to make an informed decision.

The email did not specify the financial terms of the package, which departments or roles might be most affected, or set a deadline for expressions of interest. The move signals a significant restructuring effort within one of Zimbabwe’s major private media conglomerates.

AMH publishes several prominent titles, including NewsDay, the Zimbabwe Independent, and the regional The Southern Eye. The group has navigated a challenging economic environment characterized by hyperinflation, currency instability, and fluctuating advertising revenues.

Labour analysts suggest that mutual separation packages are typically deployed to reduce payroll costs without resorting to compulsory retrenchments, which can be legally complex and damaging to morale.

“Such offers are a strategic tool for organizations seeking to right-size voluntarily,” said a Harare-based labour lawyer. “The critical details lie in the package’s structure. Employees must scrutinize the terms, especially regarding severance pay and the waiver of future claims, before making a decision.”

Reaction within AMH newsrooms was mixed, according to sources who spoke on condition of anonymity. Some staff expressed anxiety about the company’s direction and job security, while others viewed it as a potential opportunity for a negotiated departure amid a tough economic climate.

Towards the Christmas holidays, AMH employees who have been left without salaries for nearly eleven months were reportedly paid a once-off sum of just US$50 with senior staff reportedly receiving US$100.

The payment, described by staff as an “insult,” sparked anger and accusations of exploitation within the company, which continues to publish newspapers and run digital platforms while workers struggle with evictions, unpaid school fees, and mounting debts.

Last year, in December, the workers got $40 grocery vouchers again after several months of unpaid salaries.

“It’s now the trend,” said an AMH worker who said the company’s executives including Murumbi did not prioritise workers’ concerns.

” They would rather holiday while we wallow in poverty because of unpaid salaries,” alleged the worker.

A local publication reports that the government owes AMH about US$400 000 in unpaid advertising and newspaper subscription fees dating back over a year.

The media sector in Zimbabwe has faced sustained pressures, including rising production costs, limited advertising spend, and competitive pressures from digital platforms. Several media houses have undertaken similar staff rationalization exercises in recent years.

As of publication, AMH management had not issued any public statement on the voluntary separation scheme. The move is likely to be closely watched as an indicator of the financial health and strategic priorities of the country’s independent media industry.