Legislators yesterday grilled Mines and Mining Development
Permanent Secretary Mr Onesimo Moyo over delays in appointing a board for the
Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe, saying it might perpetuate the old
situation where the parent ministry ran State entities, thus undermining the
ethos of corporate governance.
The Mines and Mining Development Portfolio Committee led by
Norton MP Mr Temba Mliswa said there was danger that the ministry might repeat
the scenario in which former secretary Professor Francis Gudyanga and Minister
Walter Chidhakwa unilaterally ran the State entities without boards.
The legislators said this yesterday when Mr Moyo and
stakeholders appeared before the committee to give oral evidence on the 2019
National Budget.
Mr Moyo, who has been in the ministry for about a month,
was also directed to expeditiously appraise himself with operations of his
portfolio.
This was after he repeatedly responded to questions by
saying he was not aware since he was new in the ministry.
“As the committee may be aware, Chair, I know I should not
say this, I am fairly new. I have completed just a month in the ministry and
most of the time I have been attending induction training, but I am not saying
that should be an excuse. It is something I need to be able to look at and
should I get another opportunity I should be able to give a comprehensive
answer and hopefully more elaborate responses,” said MrMoyo.
Legislators took turns to berate him and directed that he
returns today.
“The committee is looking at the interest of the nation and
of you. The committee has experienced the former permanent secretary, Prof
Gudyanga, who literally ran the ministry on his own. The mining sector is in a
mess because of two people. There was no corporate governance. The then
Minister Chidhakwa and Prof Gudyanga used to sit on the board of the Zimbabwe
Consolidated Diamond Company. You wonder why there is an issue, there is a background
to that. Members of Parliament would ask how can one person can sit on a board,
and he is the chief accounting officer of the ministry. We are trying to assist
you so that you do not fall into the (same) trap, It is important that we start
well together,” said Mr Mliswa.
Magwegwe MP Mr Anele Ndebele (MDC-T) concurred. “Remember this committee let Gudyanga scot-free. He was
virtually a board unto himself, the same thing is happening. I shudder to think
what will happen next if you Hon Chairperson do not put your foot down,” said
Mr Ndebele.
Zvimba North MP Cde Marian Chombo (Zanu-PF) said one month
in office was long enough for one to appreciate what goes on in one’s office.
“A month is long enough for you to know what is happening,
I do not think it is an excuse we can accept,” she said.
Buhera West MP Cde Nzuma (Zanu-PF) implored Mr Moyo to
urgently constitute a board for MMCZ. Zaka Central MP Cde Davison Svuure (Zanu-PF) implored Mr
Moyo to research.
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