UNDER graft probe Zesa Holdings executive chairperson
Sydney Gata, has suspended eight board members of the national power utility
company, the Daily News reports.
This comes after Energy and Power Development minister
Fortune Chasi earlier this week ordered the same board to investigate Gata on
an array of corruption allegations, among them grabbing five company vehicles
for personal use.
But Gata has hit back, suspending eight board members, some
of whom he alleged were corrupt and facing imminent arrest.
“I have taken a decisive initial action to restore order by
suspending eight board members, pending disciplinary action by the appointing
authority,” Gata said in a statement thanking Zesa workers for rallying behind
him.
“Furthermore, several arrests are pending on corruption
charges including board members and senior managers. Furthermore, contrary to feeble rumours on my suspension,
I assure you in terms of our treasured constitution, only the appointing
authority can dispense these powers.”
Although Gata did not mention the board members suspended,
the Zesa board was made up of Ashok Chakravati, Rosemary Siyachitema, Caroline
Mathonsi, James Muzangaza, Jonathan Wood, Stella Nkomo, Wadzanai Chigwa, Peace
Rugube and executive director Eliab Chikwenhere.
The Daily News is reliably informed that Wood reportedly
did not take up the board post after his appointment.
Chasi instructed the
board to probe Gata for allegedly diverting some Zesa projects to entities
associated with him, employing ghost workers and using company funds for his
personal benefit
He is also accused of splurging “$10 million on two lavish
parties in Hwange and Kariba and $2 million on alcohol alone” when he was
re-appointed last year.
But Zesa workers have come out in full support of Gata,
dismissing allegations against him as “unwarranted character assassination” and
meant to scandalise him.
“The workers have witnessed a unique rebirth of Zesa in
terms of its service delivery to consumers as well as the fair treatment of
employees.
“During these past three days, prophets of doom have not
stopped at anything to throw missiles at Gata and in clear acts of paid
hatchet-men, some news reporters have been at pains to scandalise our executive
chairman with the obvious backing of some dismissed elements that are yet to
prove their purity at an altar of an internal hearing that has been set for
them to answer to corporate crimes that have in themselves bled Zesa to the
wilt,” the workers said in a statement.
“Before the appointment of
Gata to the position of executive chairperson for the fourth time,
employees at Zesa had been reduced to destitution as past executives never
bothered to care for their welfare as they only ensured they corruptly
continued to selfishly pack their feeding trough with excess loot.”
On assumption of office in November last year, Gata
suspended and dismissed over 15 executives from the power utility company after
accusing them of graft.
The workers said Gata must not be swayed from ensuring the
dismissed executives who have corrupt
cases face the music.
“We would like to take this opportunity to advise the
nation in no uncertain terms as workers, we are solidly in support of Dr Gata
and any attempts to subvert his vision of transforming the business of Zesa would
not be taken lightly, but would attract a national uprising in solidarity with
his pro-worker and nation stance,” the workers said.
They blasted the previous administration under fired former
chief executive officer Josh Chifamba.
The workers said since
Gata’s appointment, the country’s power supply had improved with no
load-shedding.
They pleaded with
President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Chasi to give Gata a chance to turn around
Zesa. Gata thanked workers for supporting him.
“I know so well that for a meagre salary, you have faced
danger and death to provide magetsi (electricity) to our beloved nation, so
that industry can restart, a winter crop can be harvested once again,
mortuaries can operate and even the corruption cartels of criminals, senior managers
and board members can watch Netflix in the leafy suburbs of Harare,” he said.
Daily News
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