Can Havercroft really revive Zimbabwe’s largest meat processor?

The deal in which a United Kingdom company is taking over Zimbabwe’s largest meat processor, the Cold Storage Company, which has been struggling for years, sounded too good to be true. And it is fast proving to be a mirage.

The man who took over the CSC, Nick Havercroft, is more of a tobacco than beef farmer. He was born in 1965 and went to Kwekwe High School before proceeding to Blackfordby Agriculture College in Mazowe, a tobacco training institute. He admits on his linked in profile that he has spent more than 25 years in the field.

“I specialize in greenfield start-ups in various fields including health technology, wearable technology, environmental technology, agriculture and the turn-around of companies under liquidation raising finance from various sources around the globe,” Havercroft says on his linked in profile.

“Initially in agriculture, 25 years’ experience, specializing in tobacco, I pioneered the first farm to factory to retail and also pioneered contract tobacco production in Zimbabwe. The company was sold to BAT.

“I am one of the world’s leading experts in tobacco from growing, buying, processing, blending, cut rag, cigarette manufacture, distribution, e-cigarettes and consult for various companies, the World Bank, World Health Organization and the President of Malawi.”

His profile, compiled with the assistance of the Investigative Dashboard, shows that Havercroft seems to be seeking finances from various sources around the globe to turn-around the CSC. He does not have cash of his own and according to the workers he is using rents from CSC properties to pay their wages.

The name Nicholas Anthony Havercroft is listed in the UK company registry as the director or former director of 16 Boustead companies.

Another name that comes up in the Boustead companies is that of Gavin Havercroft.

In the Boustead Agriculture company, the address for both of the Havercroft is 52 Shaneragh Rd, Mandara Highlands, Zimbabwe.

Both Havercrofts are linked to a company called Green Earth Africa. According to Orbis, this UK company is now dissolved.

Another company said to belong to Havercroft is ZR Energies Limited which is in Kenya. Other shareholders are Jason Rosamond, Stephen Muza, Walid Kamhawi and Pasifique Investment Limited.

Havercroft is also listed as the director of United Tobacco Co (Mauritius) Ltd. The other directors are Loulou Alaaeidn Said Aly Ahmed, Chang Chang Jinny Cythia, Boulhchiche Yacine , Lo Seen Chong Deans Tommy and Adam Molai.

The owner is listed as Lo Seen Chong Deans Tommy.

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