Timber tankers, electric saws, motor vehicles and a caterpillar were sourced for a timber manufacturing venture in Lupane. The equipment has since disappeared from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) offices yard in Bulawayo, amid rumours that it has been moved to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Lovemore Sithole, the chairperson of the Matabeleland Timber Project, told The Zimbabwean that his organization was greatly worried about the whereabouts of the equipment.
“We understand the equipment was taken by big chefs from ZMRA’s premises where it has been lying idle for non payment of duty. Now our investigations reveal that the equipment was moved to DRC for a similar venture. Nobody in the Matabeleland Timber Project management was consulted over the issue,” said Sithole.
Sithole said representatives from his organization once approached President Robert Mugabe in Lupane over the issue during the run up to the 2005 parliamentary elections. He said Mugabe promised to look into it, but no action has been taken.
Post published in: News