Parliament asks Transport Minister to clarify Beitbridge–Harare road tender and who owns Zimbabwe Airways

THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFRASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. GUMBO): Mr. Speaker Sir, I do not know whether I can respond to what the Hon. Member is asking now or should I bring a prepared statement.  I have no problem in responding to that now, with your permission.

THE ACTING SPEAKER:  I think it will be better if you come up with a prepared statement.

HON. MLISWA: On a point of order, Hon. Speaker, I just want to add something to that statement, there must be the shareholding structure because I am told that the statement made by Hon. Chinamasa is not true that there is a company.  We want also the name of the Singaporean company, we want to know who owns it because what I have been told and what is there is that ….

THE ACTING SPEAKER:  Order Hon. Member, Hon. Maridadi had already asked the Minister to make a statement.

HON. MLISWA: What I am trying to say Mr. Speaker Sir is that Zimbabwe Airways is a company that is going to lease from another company. That company is registered in Singapore and the Zimbabwean Government owns the planes. Hence we need to know who that company is because it is appears to be a very sophisticated structure. That is why I am spending time saying Zimbabwe Airways shareholders as well as shareholders of the company that leases from the Government must also be known. Therefore your statement must be clear so that there will be no more grey areas in that regard. Thank you.

THE MINISTER OF TRANSPORT AND INFASTRUCTURAL DEVELOPMENT (HON. DR. GUMBO): Mr. Speaker Sir I have already admitted that I am ready to give a Ministerial Statement containing all details, including commas and full-stops thereof.  I have no problem my brother and I will give you everything. Do not worry.  However, let me just preliminarily explain for the sake of the media. The company he is referring to, for your information, is not registered in Singapore.  It is registered in Zimbabwe. Wait for issuance of the statement and then ask your questions. I assure you that you will be very happy, at the end of the day.

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