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Mutumwa Mawere

Tinomuda Chakanyuka and Walter Mswazie
The Government is ready to respond to a Constitutional Court application by the former owner of Shabanie-Mashaba Mines, Mr Mutumwa Mawere who is seeking to reclaim ownership of the mine and other businesses.
The Zvishavane-based asbestos mine and other businesses were placed under judicial management after fraud allegations were raised against Mr Mawere in 2005 in terms of the Reconstruction of the State-Indebted Insolvent Companies Act.

In an interview on the sidelines of the ninth edition of the Mimosa Mining Company long service awards in Zvishavane on Saturday, Mines and Mining Development Minister, Cde Walter Chidhakwa, also reiterated the Government’s commitment to revive Shabanie-Mashaba Mines, describing the giant asbestos manufacturing company as key to the country’s economic development.

Cde Chidhakwa said the Government was confident of successfully defending its case against the self-exiled businessman.
“We are aware that Mawere has taken us to court and we are positive that we are going to respond to his court application and defend our case. Of course the court case takes us away from the real issues of making sure that the mine comes back to life,” he said.

Mr Mawere last week filed an application at the Constitutional Court seeking to repossess many of his businesses, including Shabanie-Mashaba Mines.

Apart from the mines other companies that were placed under judicial management include Endurite, SMM, UKI, FSI Agricom, and CFI Holdings.

Mr Mawere is arguing that the move by the then Minister of Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs, Cde Patrick Chinamasa in declaring him insolvent contravened the Constitution of Zimbabwe and as such should be declared invalid.

Cde Chidhakwa said his ministry engaged SMM Holdings management to map the way forward on resuscitating operations at the asbestos giant.

“Shabanie-Mashaba Mines are key to the country’s economic development. My deputy (Cde Fred Moyo) recently met management at the mine to try and come up with strategies to bring the mine back to its feet. We have the spirit to get the company start working again. Even his Excellency, President Mugabe appreciates the need to revamp operations at the mine,” he said.

Minister Chidhakwa was, however, non-committal on the time frame Government expected the mine to get back on its feet.
He said the Shabanie-Mashaba Mines issue remained a priority on the Government’s economic recovery programme list.

Cde Chidhakwa said Zimbabwe remained one of the few big producers of asbestos in the world. He said resuscitating operations at Shabanie Mine will boost the construction industry as asbestos roofing materials would be made locally.

“Asbestos is generally cheaper than tiles and not all of us can afford tiles. If the mine gets back to its feet, this would benefit the construction industry and even individuals who were failing to cope with the high cost of tiles,” he said.

Earlier, during the Mimosa Mine awards ceremony, Cde Chidhakwa hailed the mining giant for honouring its dedicated employees.
“Honouring of dedicated workers is key to any organisation. Most companies the world over commit the cardinal sin of neglecting workers but you have demonstrated that you appreciate the contribution made by the employees,” he said.

Mr Average Ncube, a rig operator at the mine, was named the Mimosa Mining Company worker of the year. He walked away with a deep freezer, a shield, shirt and tie.

The awards ceremony was graced by Cde Moyo, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Mines and Mining Development Professor Francis Gudyanga, Chief Mapanzure and the executive chairman of Mimosa Mining Company, Mr Winston Chitando, among other guests.