Politicians dominate Zesa boards

By Felex Share

Energy and Power Development Minister Dzikamai Mavhaire yesterday appointed board members for Zesa Holdings and its nine subsidiaries, with the new boards dominated by politicians and former ambassadors.

Former Lands and Rural Resettlement Minister Dr Herbert Murerwa will chair the Zesa Holdings board, while former Masvingo Governor and Resident Minister Willard Chiwewe has been appointed to head the Rural Electrification Agency board.

Zanu-PF Manicaland provincial chairperson Ambassador John Mvundura landed the ZETDC chairmanship, while Zanu-PF director for economic affairs Nyasha Mandeya is a Zesa Holdings board member.

Former Zvimba East legislator Patrick Zhuwawo is now vice chairperson of the Zimbabwe Power Company board that is chaired by Mr Stanely Kazhanje.

Former Chirumanzu-Kwekwe-Silobela Senator Clarissa Vongai Muchengeti was appointed to the Zimbabwe Power Company board, while Bulawayo Zanu-PF provincial chairperson Professor Callistus Ndlovu is a board member for the newly-established Kariba South Hydro Power Company.

Other politicians are former ambassador and transport deputy minister Zenzo Nsimbi (former Bulawayo MP) who is a ZETDC board member.

Zanu-PF losing candidate for Bikita West Elias Musakwa was appointed a Zesa Enterprises board member and former Mutare South legislator Fred Kanzama is in the PowerTel board that is chaired by Ms Tsitsi Makova.

Other politicians include Jacob Chademana who lost in the Masvingo North Zanu-PF primary elections and is now in the National Oil and Infrastructure Company board under the chairmanship of Mr Shingai Mutumbwa; former Bikita East MP Walter Mutsauri chairs the PetroTrade board as well as former Home Affairs Deputy Minister Shadreck Chipanga and Air  Vice Marshal Henry Muchena (Retired) who now works for Zanu-PF.

Speaking after unveiling the boards, Minister Mavhaire said they were balanced in terms of skills mix, experience and gender.

He said the board members should bear in mind that fuel and power were critical in making Zim-Asset a success.

“Without energy in its various forms, there can never be any transformation,” he said.

“Such is the criticality of our mandate. We must recover from our current power deficit situation to a power surplus situation in the shortest possible time. Only then can mining, agriculture, industry and commerce take off.”

Minister Mavhaire said he looked at skills, qualification, gender and regional representation in appointing the board members.

“It is as good as you are questioning why President Mugabe approved those boards. We need technical people and political direction in appointing people and that is why there are a lot of engineers, doctors and financial gurus in those boards,” he said.

“Minister Obert Mpofu appointed Godwills Masimirembwa as chairman and why didn’t you ask him about that. That is what the President has always said that you always want to attack people’s personalities. To us, everyone in that board met the criteria that was approved by the highest authority in the country.”

Minister Mavhaire said all procurement and projects should be done procedurally.

“Wheeling and dealing at any level is not tolerated,” he said. “All deals and all operations should be above board. There are already set procurement procedures and processes which must be followed. This is your opportunity to serve and to receive benefits because this is not a full time job.”

According to the new National Code of Corporate Governance crafted by Government and the private sector recently, board members should be composed of persons “with good leadership qualities and core competencies required by the company, such as an accounting or financial expertise, legal skills, business and managerial experience, industry knowledge and strategic planning experience.”

The code provides a holistic solution to corporate failure and poor corporate governance.

The energy board faces a daunting task of availing various energy services to steer critical economic sectors for the successful implementation of Zim-Asset.

Dr Murerwa will be deputised by former Zesa chief executive Engineer Benjamin Rafemoyo, who resigned from the power utility in 2010.

Other Zesa Holdings board members are Ms Evelyn Kawonza, (former Ambassador to Austria), Mr Simplisius Chihambakwe (a lawyer), Dr Christine Masuta, Miss Farai Mavhiya, Mr Godknows Mhonde and and Zesa chief executive Engineer Josh Chifamba (ex-officio member).

Board members for ZPC include Mr Takawira Zengeya, Eng. Alban Nyakurima, Mrs Thandiwe Mlobane, Mrs Getrude Chikwava and Mr Noah Gwariro (ex-officio member).

Kariba Hydro Power Company, established to oversee the expansion of the Kariba South Power Station, is chaired by Eng. James Dube who will be deputised by Dr Cleopatra Mtisi.

Other board members are Mr Harrison Mudede, Mr Michael Tumbare, Eng Martin Manhuwa, Ms Lillian Mugwambi and Mr Noah Gwariro.

The ZETDC board has former Finance secretary Mr Nicholas Ncube (vice chair), Mr Cletus Nyachowe, Ms Rebecca Chidziva, Retired Brigadier Generals Elasto Madzingira and Getrude Mutasa and Eng. Julian Chinembiri (ex-officio).

The ZENT board is chaired by Eng. Ernest Muchayi, deputised by Mrs Judy Nyamuchanja with board members being Mrs Roseline Chitsveto and Mr Tererai Mutasa (ex-officio).

Ms Tsitsi Makova is the PowerTel chair and will be deputised by Mr Archbald Ndoro.

Also sitting on the board will be Chaplin Chinyanga, lawyer Mr Gerald Mlotshwa, Getrude Takawira and Mr Samuel Maminimini (ex-officio).

NOIC board vice chairperson is Ms Nancy Masiyiwa and other board members are Mr Musekiwa Kamba, Mr Brian Kaukonde, Dr Bara and Mr Wilfred Matukeni (ex-sofficio).

Mr Zvinechimwe Churu will deputise Cde Mutsauri on the PetroTrade board, while Ms Busisiwe Dube, Mr Bernard Hove, Mr Raphel Tirivanhu, Mrs Petronella Musarurwa,

Mr Tinayo Kangai and Tanaka Sikwila (ex-officio) complete the list of board members.

The REA board is dominated by provincial administrators who include deputy chair Mrs Cecelia Chitiyo (Midlands), Midard Khumalo (Matabeleland South), Felix Chikovo (Masvingo), Mr Josphat Jaji (Mashonaland Central), Mr Christopher Shumba, Mr Fungai Mbetsa (Manicaland), Ms Christinah Moyo and Joshua Mashamba (ex-officio).

Dr Esther Khosa chairs the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority board and will be deputised by Dr Irene Jeke.

Mr Todd Garfield Nkiwane, Mr Tedious Muzoroza, Eng Betty Nhachi, and Eng. Gloria Magombo are the board members.

Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa in March said Cabinet resolved to carry out an investigation to ascertain the extent of board fees and other emoluments paid to chairpersons and members of the boards of state enterprises and parastatals and members of the local authorities.

He said current payments were unjustified and unsustainable and concerned entities were constantly begging Treasury for bail outs. The Herald