The chief government spokesman in Zimbabwe, Bornwell Chakaodza, has been appointed as the new editor of the the country's main daily newspaper, The Herald.

He succeeds Charles Chikerema, who died of a heart attack three weeks ago.

Mr Chikerema, a nephew of President Robert Mugabe, had been appointed editor only two months before his death.

A statement from the chairmanm of the board of the Zimbabwe Newspapers Group, Honour Mkushi, said that Mr Chakaodza's appointment was meant to insprire professional and business confidence within the group.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service