Tendai Ziso

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has reinstated ZESA Holdings Executive Chairperson Dr Sydney Gata and his entire board of directors before the completion of investigations into allegations of corruption and office abuse that were levelled against them when they were suspended.

Dr Gata was previously suspended last month by President Mnangagwa on allegations of gross misconduct that were levelled against him by the former Minister of Energy and Power Development Fortune Chasi, and an order was given to the Zimbabwe Anti-corruption Commission to conduct full investigations into the matter.

But the Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Misheck Sibanda said the President has allowed Dr Gata and his entire board to continue with their positions and carry out their responsibilities until the finalisation of investigations into their alleged offenses.

In a statement, Dr Sibanda revealed that ZACC has cleared Dr Gata of 4 out of 6 acts of misconducted which he is alleged to have committed namely; his self-allocation of six vehicles for personal and family uses, authorising an expenditure of ZWL$10 million for Christmas parties in Hwange and Kariba in 2019 without following Board approval, unilaterally installing solar equipment at his residence in Borrowdale using Zesa Funds, setting up a Trust called ZESIT to undertake several ZESA projects, interfering with disciplinary process of a matter involving Mrs Borah Tsomondo, the company Secretary of the Zimbabwe Power Company and the alleged authorisation of the payment of ghost employees and his personal workers on the Zesa payroll under misrepresentation that they were Zesa employees.

“The interim Report cleared Dr Gata of the first four (4) allegations. With regards to the last two (2) allegations, ZACC is yet to conclude its investigations. With regards to allegations against the Board members, the interim Report indicates that the investigations are still in progress, “ said Dr Sibanda.

“ His Excellency the President, Being cognisant of the fact that Zesa is at the epicentre of the economic activity of the Nation and that it would not be desirable for this entity to operate below optimal efficiency due to lack of leadership at its helm, has directed as follows:
1) That the Executive Chairman of Zesa , Dr S Gata, while investigations are ongoing, be allowed to carry on his responsibility as Executive Chairman;
2) That the Board members also continue in their positions until the finalisation of the investigations, “ reads the statement.

Dr Sibanda also revealed that President Mnangagwa ordered the Minister of Energy, Soda Zhemu to examine corporate governance issues raised by Zacc in its interim report and present his recommendations to the country’s leader by 30 November this year.