Kasukuwere refuses to be ‘Saviour’ to unpaid staff

By Lance Guma

The Minister of Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment, Saviour Kasukuwere, has not paid staff at his United Touring Company (UTC) since January last year. Despite being the focal point of ZANU PF’s so-called indigenization drive, Kasukuwere has not seen fit to lead by example.

Last year nearly 60 non-managerial employees approached the High Court over their unpaid wages and salaries, which stood at $41,887. That figure has since ballooned to $63,000.

Matters came to a head when the Sheriff’s Office, acting on a High Court judgment, attached a total of 7 vehicles, plus office desks, computers and boats from the company’s offices in Victoria Falls.

But one worker confirmed that the Sheriff’s Office has already said the property attached is not enough to cover the monies owed. He claimed the company moved most of its property to the Harare and Bulawayo offices to escape the attachment order. SW Radio Africa can confirm that the man executing the attachment order says he will travel to Harare and Bulawayo if necessary.

Kasukuwere is said to be part of a consortium of local businessmen who acquired UTC in 2001 when it was then ranked among the leading destination management companies in the region. Bibiana Kabira, the young sister to Kasukuwere’s wife, is said by workers to be the Chief Executive Officer of the company.

Contacted for comment Kabira said she was not authorized to speak for the company and said it was going through a major restructuring exercise and would be changing management. Midway through the interview she made a dramatic u-turn and claimed she did not work for UTC and had no links with Kasukuwere whatsoever.

Kabira also denied she was the young sister to Kasukuwere’s wife, as claimed by some of the workers. Asked how she knew about the developments in UTC she said as a ‘banker’ she knew what was happening in the industry.

The company is said to be facing serious cash-flow problems and operations have ground to a halt. Workers told us that for the few tourists they are getting, they are having to sub-hire vehicles and equipment from other companies. If the company does not pay the US$63,000 owed, its property will be sold by the court on the 20th April. SW Radio Africa