TENSIONs between senior Air Zimbabwe officials, the
Transport ministry and Zimbabwe Airways (ZimAirways) are mounting after
minister Jorum Gumbo recently blocked the convening of a disciplinary hearing
against three engineers accused of moonlighting for the rival airline.
As government pushes for the closure of AirZim, whose
operations continue to face increasing threats, it has since emerged that Gumbo
last week ordered AirZim management to stop any disciplinary proceedings
against Martin Gwafa and two other engineers who were instrumental in the
controversial purchase of two Boeing 777 aircraft from Malaysia Airlines. The
planes were bought for ZimAirways.
AirZim, according to sources, argued that the three were in
violation of their employment contracts by assisting a rival airline whose
ownership structure is murky.
“Gumbo summoned AirZim officials to his offices last
Thursday and said the airline should pay the engineers for the period they were
in Malaysia because they were on government business. He said no disciplinary
action should be taken against them for facilitating the ZimAirways project,” a
source said.
The developments come at a time government has opened up
traditionally viable routes for AirZim to rival airlines. Sources said the
debt-ridden airline’s woes have also worsened in recent months after ticketing
service providers switched off their services due to a US$1,3 million debt.
“Tickets are now being bought online after AirZim was cut
off by Travelport and Amadeus. Government appears reluctant to settle this debt
as its focus is now on ZimAirways.”
AirZim immediately requires US$45 million to be
operational, according to AirZim’s Strategic Turnaround Plan (2018-2020). The
airline requires US$26 million to settle its foreign debt; US$6 million to buy
three Embraer ERJ145; US$4,6 million for International Air Transport
Association (Iata) clearing house joining fees, among other financial
obligations. Official documents show that as at December 2017, AirZim had local
debt totalling US$341 million.
Among some of its weaknesses, according to the plan, are a
shaky balance sheet, debt overhang, antiquated equipment, thin route network,
high litigation, low level of automation and an absence from the Iata clearing
house.
Meanwhile, government, according to aviation industry
sources, is working on regularising ZimAirways’ company structure as required
by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe.
“ZimAirways has plans to fly to Beijing and government is
working round the clock to ensure that the bird takes to the sky,” another
aviation source said.
Last year, the Independent reported that Gumbo and former
AirZim chief operating officer Simba Chikore, who is former president Robert
Mugabe’s son-in-law, have been assisting in setting up the private airline at
the expense of the flag carrier, AirZim, which fell under their purview and
supervision, raising a serious conflict of interest on their part. Zimbabwe independent
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