Was Vice-President Chiwenga taken for a ride by Boustead Beef?

The same agreement stated that, in the first year, Boustead Beef should invest US$45 million as follows:

• Refurbishing of abattoirs, canning factory, distribution US$6 million.
• Working capital abattoirs, canning factory, distribution US$5 million.
• Logistic fleet, vehicles, distribution- abattoirs US$2 million.
• IT systems/meat matex/stock control/etc US$3 million.
• External cattle purchase facility US$5 million.
• External buy back facility for processed beef US$5 million.
• Capital expenditure ranches and feedlots US$4.5 million.
• Working capital ranches and feedlots US$3 million
• Logistics fleet ranches, vehicles US$1.5 million
• Cattle purchase US$10 million

What has baffled most former CSC workers is the sudden turn-around by Lands and Agriculture Minister Anxious Masuka. Masuka was a member of the CSC board when the Boustead Beef agreement was signed and the board was kicked out. He was therefore aware of the turn-around strategy which had been approved by the government before Boustead Beef came in.

More disturbing, however, was the fact that it was Masuka who ordered the corporate rescue of the CSC because Boustead Beef had failed to meet its end of the agreement but he was now the one suddenly backing the company.

“We are surprised by his about-turn. Maybe someone has turned the screws on him, but we are not getting anywhere with Boustead Beef. It’s all a circus,” a worker said.

The worker said that news about the re-opening which has been splashed in the local media since Thursday last week had created another problem for Boustead Beef. Several job seekers are now lining up outside the Bulawayo plant every morning and they are being told to come back next month.

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