Zimbabwe asks Kudenga to investigate Boustead Beef operations at CSC

According to the agreement Boustead Beef was supposed to invest US$45 million in the first year 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

Nothing of the sort happened. Instead the CSC shut down operations in September and has not re-opened since. It fired most of the managers and was in the process of retrenching 140 workers.

Masuka said Kudenga will head the CSC rescue plan and as such will have overall responsibility to avoid the liquidation of CSC while ensuring that it remains in a solvent state for the benefit of the company’s stakeholders, creditors including the company’s workers.

“The objective is to avoid liquidation and bring CSC back to profitability and contribute to the Livestock Growth Plan and National Development Strategy 1,” he said.

Kudenga’s task will be to:

1. to investigate the company’s affairs, business and property and financial situation in terms of Section 134 of the Insolvency Act;
2. investigate previous CSC operations and expose the weaknesses within the systems and recommend possible solutions;
3. investigate adherence to corporate governance principles and recommend aspects that require strengthening;
4. confirm the number and status of the properties and ascertain the status of all CSC assets;
5. investigate claims of asset stripping or any other activities and institute measures to stop the asset stripping immediately;
6. examine the Scheme of Arrangement and recommend appropriate measures;
7. investigate the employment and dismissal of employees from the date the Joint Venture was signed;
8. examine and recommend Pension benefits due to the employees;
9. examine Boustead Beef (Pvt) Ltd’s current operations (investments made and operational initiatives implemented since the signing of the agreement) and establish whether or not it has capacity to revive CSC and advance the Livestock Growth Plan.

Workers claimed that Boustead Beef did not have any money and was instead using money from rental of CSC properties to pay workers and even sold some assets.

It also sold more than 200 CSC cattle at an auction three months ago.  It is not clear what the money was used for but workers believe the company wanted to pay off those who were being laid off.

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