The once flourishing vineyard located in Greenvale, about 10km along the Gweru-Mvuma road, has been uprooted and the Chinese are already on site constructing the 5 000-seater conference centre. Former workers at the winery told The Zimbabwean this week that soldiers were the first on the scene.
“The soldiers came first and dismantled the tanks which were used to brew the wine. Everything at the winery was destroyed and the equipment has been strewn everywhere. A Chinese construction company is already working on the conference centre,” said a former worker. The owner of the winery, Bertam, left the country during the height of the land invasions and went to South Africa to establish another massive vineyard.
The worker said Bertam Winery was the sole producer of the famous Green Valley wine and also used to supply both the local and foreign markets.
One worker said following Bertam’s departure, a black farmer tried to take over the winery but abandoned the project after failing to turn a profit. The conference project, which is said to be the brain child of Defence Minister, Emmerson Mnangagwa, is believed to be bankrolled by the Chinese.
The complex will be equipped with modern technology and will house the party’s Midlands provincial offices as well as reserve a wing for the offices of the Presidium. The auditorium will also have a Public Address System.
Post published in: News