Zimpapers Logo

Makhosini Hlongwane

Sikhumbuzo Moyo, Senior Sports Reports
DISGRUNTLED contractors that provided service for the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Games in Bulawayo have been urged to defer their plans of staging a sit-in at the Ministry of Sport and Recreation offices in Harare following another undertaking to pay them next Tuesday.

The contractors had threatened to march on the ministry’s offices and stage a sit-in to press for their payments, which have been outstanding for two years.

Purves Chipanda, chairperson of the AUSC Contractors, last night said while the concerns raised by their members were genuine, they had again engaged the ministry’s permanent secretary George Chipare.

“The situation is grave, but we have since asked our members to defer the sit-in plans as we are confident that the government will own up as promised by the permanent secretary Chipare that something will be done on Tuesday next week. We therefore see no reason why we should not trust the government,” said Chipanda.

He said the association is also aware that the Minister of Sport and Recreation Makhosini Hlongwane took over the ministry when they were already in a crisis, but their engagements with him have been positive.

Some companies are reported to have closed shop as a result of the non-payment.