eBusiness Weekly
Michael Magoronga
Government is yet to receive any formal communication from the Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company (Ziscosteel) board requesting for the termination of the deal between the defunct steel giant and ZimCoke deal, Industry and Commerce Permanent Secretary Dr Mavis Sibanda has said.
In an interview, Dr Sibanda said contrary to other media reports that $225 million deal has been cancelled, as far as government was concerned, the Zimcoke deal was well on course as they had not received any formal Communication to that effect t.
The deal in which ZinCoke is set to take over the Ziscosteel coke ovens, was reportedly terminated on allegations that proper procedures where not followed.
Dr Sibanda said as far as government was concerned, the deal was still standing.
“I just heard about it, I have not yet read about it, I think there are some overzealous people who are behind that. From our end as government we are yet to get any report of that nature,” said Dr Sibanda.
She said government was not in a posession to comment on heresy.
“I cannot comment on things that we are yet to receive any formal report. We can only comment on issues that would have come to us through formal channels,” she said.
Dr Sibanda also urged people to desist from spreading malice.
“Everything we do is for national interests not for individual glory, people should focus on national development and stop spreading falsehoods,” she said.
ZimCoke board member and chief advisor, Eddie Cross also maintained the deal was still on.
“I contacted the ministry and they said they we not aware of such a development. We are on and I don’t know who is behind this. We are also yet to receive any formal communication to that effect, as far as we are concerned, the deal is on,” said Mr Cross.
However, Ziscosteel Board Chair Dr Gift Muganho maintained that they have written to government requesting that the deal be cancelled.
“As you know, this is a long procedure that will require the request to be looked at by the ministry before it is tabled before the cabinet for approval. But as it stands we have requested for the deal to be terminated,” said Dr Muganho.
He could not be drawn into commenting further into the contents of the written communication saying it would be premature to do so.
Meanwhile, ZimCoke is moving ahead with preparations to take over the coke ovens with prospects very high that they will start production early 2020.
The company has set structures and has since appointed a new nine member board as well as a Chief Executive Officer.
More members are expected to be crafted into the board early next year.
The board will be chaired by Mr Nick Ncube whilst Dereck Scott who also sits on the board, has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the coke making firm.
Other members of the board include Philemon Nhachi, Mrs Emma Fundira, Eddie Cross, Michael Moore, Ms Lillian Mbaiwa, Gerald Mlotshwa and Valentine Mushayakarara.
In a statement, the board is expected to oversee the rehabilitation of the plant before the commencement of production.
“ZimCoke the recently formed company responsible for production of coke and related products in Zimbabwe has announced the establishment of Board of Directors. The board is tasked to represent prominent Zimbabweans and also include the debth and breadth of expertise necessary to help guide and advise the company as it conducts operations necessary to bring back into production the 160 coke ovens that formerly comprised the Ziscosteel Coke division,”read part of the statement.
Scott, a former Global CEO of Fosbel will be deputised by Nhachi.
