Protracted boardroom wrangles at
This came after Justice minister Ziyambi Ziyambi applied for
However, the Juliana Muskwe-chaired board which had ceased to exist by operation of law soon after the issuing of the order -- contested the decision along with other shareholders, trustees and creditors, arguing that the minister had abused his powers.
Board members argued that the reconstruction order was a ploy by Mines minister Winston Chitando to remove them after they had initiated a forensic audit into the company.
Interestingly, the subsequent audit, by Ralph Bomment Greenacre and Reynolds, subsequently found that Chitando had allegedly orchestrated shady business dealings and presided over the misuse of a
The audit says Chitando, in cahoots with senior executives, systematically manipulated and creamed off the company between 2016 and 2017.Lawyers representing Muskwe and her board yesterday, Chinyama Attorneys, wrote to Hwange administrator Bekithemba Moyo and his assistants
"We act on behalf of the Juliana Muskwe board of directors, the board in place immediately before the reconstruction order of
"In the result, we kindly request you and your assistant administrators to immediately cease presiding over the affairs of
"Yes, we have seen it (the letter), but do not worry about it. We will take guidance from government. If government decides to appeal, then the judgement will be suspended until after the appeal process. However, if government does not appeal, then the company will be handed over to shareholders," he said.
Key shareholder, British tycoon
Government, with 37%, is the biggest shareholder in the company."Firstly, in order to play for time, the minister may appeal. Otherwise, yes, the company should be returned to the shareholders -- therein lies the problem because the major shareholder, with 37%, is the government," he said in responses e-mailed from his
"As you well know, the only reason for the destruction of Hwange has been the long series of corrupt and incompetent directors and management appointed by government. It had been my hope, and expectation, that the new administration would deal correctly with these historic issues but, so far, there has been no sign of this."
Chitando was evasive when contacted for comment. After repeated calls on his mobile phone went unanswered, the Zimbabwe Independent sent questions to him on
"(I) will revert (back to you). Just seeing your message now," he wrote back to the Independent on Tuesday night but did not do so.
Subsequent calls were also ignored.
Ziyambi was also not answering calls.
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