Zimpapers Logo

Business Reporter
THE Beitbridge Bulawayo Railway (BBR) Company has appointed Thembi Moyo as the chief executive officer with effect from December 1, 2015.

BBR chairperson Bongiwe Ntuli said Moyo has served the organisation from inception in various capacities among them finance executive, acting chief executive officer, business development and corporate affairs director, and shareholder representative.

“The shareholders and board of BBR are pleased to announce the appointment of Thembi Moyo as chief executive officer of BBR with effect from December 1, 2015 . . .,” said Ntuli in a statement.

Moyo brings with her a wealth of experience not only from the NLPI Limited Group that locally comprise BBR, New Limpopo Bridge and NLPI Logistics but has worked for other reputable international organisations before joining the group.

BBR is 85 percent-owned by a South African integrated logistics service provider Grindrod Limited.

In 2014, Grindrod through its subsidiary, New Limpopo Project Investments, said it had snapped an 85 percent stake in BBR and immediately availed $2 million for the refurbishment of old locomotives in Bulawayo.

Grindrod holds a controlling stake in Mauritius registered conglomerate, NLPL, which now owns BBR.

Other NLPL shareholders include South Africa companies NedBank, Old Mutual, Sanlam and New Limpopo Bridge Project- an investment company controlled by Israel citizens Mordechai Tager and Zion Elani.

Last year, BBR invited tenders for a $5 million rehabilitation project of the Beitbridge-Bulawayo railway permanent way.

The project was scheduled to begin before the end of last year until 2017.

Comment on the rehabilitation project could not be obtained from BBR yesterday as Moyo, who is qualified to comment on the matter, was said to be on leave.

Rehabilitation of the railway infrastructure is a critical step towards developing a vibrant bulk transport system in Zimbabwe.

The rehabilitation of the Beitbridge-Bulawayo railway permanent way is also significant in the context of ageing railway infrastructure that continues to dog the National Railways of Zimbabwe.