The Sunday News
Peter Matika, Senior Reporter
THE Minister of State for Matabeleland North Provincial Affairs, Cde Richard Moyo has promised to launch an investigation into a case where a prospective Chinese consortium was allegedly antagonised by some councillors from Tsholotsho Rural District Council, who demanded bribes for them to be allocated land to set up a sawmill in the district.
Cde Moyo said if the allegations were true, this was against the country’s investment policy, which was launched by President Emmerson Mnangagwa last year.
“As a province we call on district councils to assist potential investors and not to antagonise them. The President last week talked about the issue of frustrating potential investors, saying it sets a bad precedence in the country’s economic recovery path,” said Cde Moyo.
He said he would be meeting with the respective leaders of the Tsholotsho RDC to find out what exactly transpired.
“I read about the issue in the paper and I was disappointed. As soon as I complete the tasks I have at hand I will be meeting with the relevant stakeholders from the RDC to get answers of what is happening. Also I need the Chinese to approach my office as well to hear their side of the story. I want to assure them that there is confidence in this country and that their investment is safe,” said Cde Moyo.
It has been reported that a Chinese consortium seeking to invest in Tsholotsho had reportedly been barred, with allegations that some councillors were demanding bribes from the investors to be given the green light to erect a sawmill in the district. The Chinese, according to sources, were told to pay a bribe of between US$25 000 and US$27 000 by some of the councillors.
President Mnangagwa last month during the 35th International Chromium Development Association (ICDA) held in Victoria Falls assured foreign investors that the country had liberalised investment conditions to the extent that they were free to partner local businesses of their choice to access their dividends.
During the same seminar President Mnangagwa said the Second Republic would continuously implement comprehensive economic reforms to ensure Zimbabwe remains a safe, favourable and competitive investment destination with a thriving and open economy. He said this was the cornerstone of the country’s “Zimbabwe is Open for Business” mantra as he invited investors into the mining industry.
@peterkmatika
