Easipark deal to stay, says Harare Mayor

EasiHold of South Africa.
Both Mayor Muchadeyi Masunda and town clerk Dr Tendai Mahachi maintained the deal would remain in force until it lapses in four years time. A year has already passed since the deal was put together.
Yesterday Dr Mahachi met members of the youth economic pressure group Upfumi Kuvadiki at Town House after Mr Masunda excused himself.
The youths were disgruntled after the meeting arguing that nothing concrete had come out of the one-hour long discussions.
The youth group comprising some well-heeled members driving executive vehicles and boasting of running business empires wanted to hear the city’s response to its petition handed in over a month ago.
In the petition, the group demanded that the city withdraw the parking management deal with EasiHold and allow a local partner to take over.
The youths had also threatened unspecified action if their demands were not met.
Mr Masunda said he could not attend the meeting because he had commitments elsewhere.
But sources close to his office said the business committee advised him to stay away after Dr Mahachi disagreed with the committee’s proposals to change the company to Harare Parking and hire a new management team to replace the one led by general manager Mr Pegias Dube.
It also emerged that some senior council officials were mobilising Easipark workers not to take instructions from Mr Dube as internal problems begin to rock the firm.
At the meeting Dr Mahachi invited the youths to table concrete proposals on business opportunities that exist in Harare.
He narrated a number of opportunities and the ventures that have already been taken up.
He said the youths had never approached his office as chief executive officer of Harare to discuss business deals and was surprised by the group’s confrontational attitude.
“I am prepared to talk opportunities. We have a binding agreement with EasiHold of South Africa. That agreement can not be broken. It is illegal to breach the agreement.
“I welcome the youths to look at other projects,” he said.
Mr Masunda said he had given Dr Mahachi full authority to receive business proposals from the youth organisation.
“I have given the town clerk carte blanche to receive business proposals from Upfumi Kuvadiki Group for consideration by the city council through the normal channels.
“I reiterate that the Easipark deal can not be undone,” he said.
But Upfumi Kuvadiki spokesman Mr Alson Darikayi said the eight-member group had specifically come to discuss Easipark and not other opportunities.
He said the youth group did not want to grab Easipark but wanted to correct perceived wrongs.
Mr Wesley Bvekerwa then said members of the group were offering themselves to be board members for free, to which Dr Mahachi said anyone interested should submit their CVs.
“We are free to participate. We want to be board members and work for free,” he said.
The youths demanded that Dr Mahachi presents them with all documents pertaining to the parking management deal for their scrutiny.

 

You Might Also Like

Comments