Tough-talking Manicaland Provincial Affairs Minister Mandi Chimene did not mince her words as she unleashed her rage at officials from the once vibrant diamond company over their priorities. “Mbada, I’m so disappointed in you. It’s good, yes, as a nation that you came up with the Mbada tournament. But surely, taking $1 million to Harare, one million via Mutare? I think you have to revise that. Mutare is the capital city of a province that you are mining from and what have you done for the city?” she asked.
Chimene urged mining companies to take a leaf from selfless icons such the late Sir Henry Birchenough who constructed the Birchenough Bridge, saying “Birchenough is long dead but we still respect him through that bridge that he constructed, why can’t you do the same?”
Mbada corporate affairs executive George Manyaya said they had also supported Mutare’s premier league outfit Buffaloes FC.
Chimene said mining companies should establish a provincial developmental fund to tackle projects in the city such as road rehabilitation and traffic lights refurbishment.
Mbada was recently forced to slash salaries, including that of management, owing to depleted alluvial diamond deposits in Chiadzwa. It is in running battle with Zimra over outstanding taxes and has reduced its football tournament sponsorship package from $1 million to $250,000.
Post published in: News