THE project to establish a new airline, Zimbabwe Airways,
whose relationship with flag carrier Air Zimbabwe (AirZim) is opaque, is moving
towards finality amid revelations Transport minister Joram Gumbo and AirZim
chief operating officer Simba Chikore might be caught in a massive conflict of
interest storm.
Investigations show that Gumbo and Chikore, who is
President Robert Mugabe’s son-in-law married to his daughter Bona, have been
assisting in the setting up of what is supposed to be a privately-owned airline
at the expense of the national flag carrier, AirZim, which falls under their
purview and supervision, raising a serious and damaging conflict of interest on
their part.
Information gathered shows that Zimbabwe Airways is owned
by a local firm, Zimbabwe Aviation Leasing Company (ZALC). The company was formed by an identified group of
Zimbabwean investors, among them lawyers and businesspersons with interests in
the aviation industry. Some of the ZALC shareholders are said to be based in
the diaspora.
An enquiry with the Deeds Office in Harare indicated ZALC
was registered under file number 3015/12. The file was, however, missing from
the office, meaning the directors could not be immediately ascertained. But
information obtained shows that Zim Airways will take to the skies on November
9 — next week on Thursday — after acquiring four long-haul Boeing 777 aircraft
from Malaysia Airlines.
There have been widespread reports Mugabe’s family or
Chikore is a stakeholder in Zim Airways. The Independent has established
Chikore is assisting in setting up the company, purportedly as a consultant
while he is a fulltime employee of AirZim.
Chikore did not respond to text messages sent to his phone,
although they were delivered. Sources said Gumbo was also helping in the
project despite him running the line ministry in charge of AirZim.
In an interview with the Independent this week, Gumbo confirmed
assisting the company but said his ministry was only playing a facilitation
role.
“When I got into this office in 2015 the government gave me
permission to look for a partner for AirZimbabwe,” he said. “I engaged many
airlines including Qatar, Ethiopian, Singapore, Turkish, Kenya and many others
to partner Air Zimbabwe. The biggest problem was that Air Zimbabwe books are
not good enough to attract partnerships. I even went to Ethiopia, Malaysia and
Singapore where the airlines were interested, but what made it difficult to
conclude the deal were the books. Air Zimbabwe has a huge debt and salary
arrears; this made it difficult to attract an investment partner.
“Government then came up with an idea of inviting
Zimbabweans who would want to be involved in aviation to partner Air Zimbabwe.
That is how this Zimbabwe Airways came about.”
Gumbo said neither the government nor Mugabe’s family has
an interest in Zim Airways, although the company took AirZim’s failed proposal.
“This has nothing to do with government; we have no good
books to attract partnerships. All we are doing is to assist them,” he said.
“This has nothing to do with President Robert Mugabe or government. I told them
(unnamed investors) we had initiated talks with several airlines so they just
adopted my idea and we took them to Malaysia which had shown interest. They
clinched the deal and as minister I am only facilitating just like I am doing
on the roads.
“We were approached by the Zimbabwe Aviation Leasing
Company which said it was seeking partners, so we took them to Malaysia which
had shown interest in the Air Zimbabwe deal, but could not take it as long as
there were legacy debts.
“So when ZALC came, my ministry was ready to assist because
all we want is to use our facilities at the airport and at the same time
creating jobs.”
Gumbo also said Chikore had nothing to do with Zim Airways
as he remains an AirZim employee. He, however, said Mugabe’s son-in-law was
giving “advice” to Zim Airways as he was an “expert” in the aviation industry,
without elaborating what was in it for them.
“I involved Chikore when I was looking for partnerships, so
Zimbabwe Airways are also seeking his advice and expertise. They are talking to
him, just like Fly Africa is doing, so that he gives them best advice. He has
experience in the aviation field and that is what we want,” Gumbo said.
However, sources say Chikore and the Mugabe family struck
the Malaysian deal in October last year when the president visited the East
Asian country.
At the material time Gumbo, who was in Mugabe’s delegation,
said he was on the second leg of scouting for partners for AirZim which has
been facing many challenges and reeling from a huge debt largely due to
extended periods of mismanagement and corruption. Sources also said US$45
million was paid to Malaysia Airways as a deposit for the four Boeing 777
planes.
However, Gumbo said his ministry was not aware of the
payment.
“Our role is to facilitate so we do not even know of any
payments ZALC could have paid. They are a private company and we have nothing
to do with how they will pay for the planes,” Gumbo said.
Although the deal is shrouded in secrecy and thus shadowy,
a Twitter user, Jerry Haas, who regularly comments on aviation issues and could
be a pilot judging by his posts on social media, has been regularly posting on
Zim Airways developments, further deepening the mystery.
On Wednesday, for instance, Haas tweeted: “Zimbabwe Airways
complete local registration of B777s. Delivery expected in a week. Launch
flight targeted to London mid-November.”
In June this year, Haas posted first images of one of the
planes, a Boeing 777 branded with Zimbabwe Airways insignia and colours, as it
completed a two-hour demo flight from Subang airport in Malaysia. This
triggered speculation that loss-making flag carrier AirZim would rebrand and
lease equipment to use.
Haas said: “As Zimbabwe Airways prepare to take off, I know
some airlines are watching with a feeling of incredulity and trepidation.”
In July Haas tweeted that Zim Airways will eventually take
over AirZim: “Zimbabwe Airways work plan: secure the planes, identify the
routes, cut current workforce in half, close AirZimbabwe and launch Zimbabwe
Airways.”
This contrary to what Gumbo is saying. The contradictions
suggest a massive scandal around the project. On August 11 Haas said: “Zimbabwe
Airways B777 returns to SZB after an hour and half of test flight over South
China Sea. Delivery due.”
He also posted on August 20 that Zim Airways would need a
bigger hub “with expected 4 B777, 2 (E190), 2 (E145) and 1 (E175).”
On September 18, Haas said: “Job done. 3rd of 4 Zimbabwe
Airways complete mandatory checks. Test soon. Reg TBC. Delivery before year
end.”
On October 14, he tweeted: “Zimbabwe Airways working on
re-joining IATA on US$4,5 million payment done (sic).” This suggested Zim
Airways will replace AirZim as he has consistently said. Gumbo is saying the
opposite.
“Zim CAA (Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe) working
overtime to register the Zim Airways B772 in Zimbabwe. Airline want delivery to
coincide (with) Harare airport renaming. Talk of timing,” Haas posted on
September 21. Zimbabwe Independent
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