On Thursday, Industry and Commerce Minister Welshman Ncube told NewsDay that Cabinet approved the deal on Tuesday.
But the political infighting over the deal continues after the MDC-T and ZANU PF MPs called for an investigation into the way Ncube negotiated the deal. They allege that he took bribes, an allegation that Ncube has angrily denied. His MDC party said that ZANU PF and the MDC-T were ganging up to undermine him.
Criticism of the Essar deal has been ongoing with suggestions that billions of dollars of iron ore were being given away for just $700 million. Mining Minister Obert Mpofu has also been doing his best to block the investment, the largest since independence 32 years ago.
But for the town of Redcliff, the reopening of Ziscosteel cannot come soon enough.
The town sits in an iron rich area and has relied on steel production as its source of revenue since it was founded in the early part of the last century.
From the 70's through to the mid 90's Ziscosteel F.C. was one of the country's best soccer teams. Zisco Rugby club enjoyed success in the national league, while the Iron Shooter basketball team, which changed its name to Redcliff Steelers, dominated Midlands basketball.
The Zisco Athletics teams produced many talented athletes, Christopher Madzokere, Tinos Maridza, Sam Madzinga and Mark Fanucci, all of whom were members of Zisco's almost unbeatable 4×100 and 4×400 metre relay team. These four athletes not only represented Zisco and the Midlands, but also represented Zimbabwe at many international competitions including the 1982 Commonwealth Games in Brisbane, Australia.
Thousands of workers in the town were absolutely dependent on Ziscosteel for their livelihoods and their way of life. Schools and hospitals in the town were supported by Ziscosteel who paid their bills and ensured property maintenance through its social responsibility program.
But senior ZANU PF officials took control of the company and plundered and looted it. After many years of bad management and theft Ziscosteel was closed down in 2008. By that time it had a $300-million debt.
–SW Radio Africa News
Post published in: News