The SABC intends to set up a bureau in Harare to
enhance its coverage of events in the country, according to a report by government news agency Bua.
This is in a effort for the broadcaster to help to tell the true Zimbabwean story.
SABC Managing Director Snuki Zikalala met Zimbabwean Information Minister Sikhanyiso Ndlovu on Wednesday to discuss the establishment of the office.
Mr Zikalala was accompanied by Supa Mandiwanzira, the chief executive of Mighty Movies , which currently represents SABC in Zimbabwe.
Mr Zikalala said SABC wanted to have a physical presence in Zimbabwe to enable it to report the true story of Zimbabwe.
"We felt that it is important to have a presence here so that we cover the true Zimbabwean story," Mr Zikalala said.
"It is a very important story. It's a story that is unfolding and there are a lot of good stories in Zimbabwe that need coverage."
The SABC MD said the setting up and operation of the office was planned for April next year.
He said apart from seeking to position themselves to fully cover next year's elections, they had also felt it was improper for the South African broadcaster not to be physically present in Zimbabwe when other foreign media such as Al Jazeera were operating from there.
SABC has offices in other African countries including Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Senegal and Kenya.
Mr Zikalala said the SABC was planning to bring in more journalists to cover next year's presidential and general elections, adding that they had discussed the accreditation of the journalists with the minister during the meeting.
"We brought 54 South African journalists to cover the last elections and we are likely to bring the same number to cover next year's elections," he said.
Minister Ndlovu welcomed the proposal by SABC, saying the development would help spread the true Zimbabwean story to the world.
"It's a good idea and as government it shows us that we are not operating in isolation," he said.
He said the more the story of Zimbabwe was told nationally, regionally and internationally, the better for Zimbabwe.
Minister Ndlovu said the presence of SABC in Zimbabwe would also help strengthen the two countries' communication linkages. – BuaNews-NNN
