‘Telecel operating without licence’
Telecel Zimbabwe is reportedly operating without a licence amid revelations a local empowerment group claiming a 40% shareholding in the mobile phone company has written to President Robert Mugabe requesting a new licence, officials said.
Speaking at a press conference in Harare on Wednesday, Zimbabwe Wealth Creation and Empowerment Council technical advisor, Leo Mugabe, said they wanted to retain a 60% majority in the mobile phone operator as this was the initial condition at the time a licence was issued.
The group comprises of Affirmative Action Group (AAG), National Miners’ Association of Zimbabwe, Integrated Engineering Group, Indigenous Women Business Organisation and Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union.
The empowerment group invested in Telecel through an investment vehicle, Empowerment Corporation.
Mugabe accused exiled businessman James Makamba, who was part of the empowerment group, of selling 20% of the group’s stake to Telecel International “Nicodemously” resulting in the group becoming a minority shareholder.
“We want our majority shareholding back. The condition of issuing a licence to Telecel has always been that at least 60% shareholding should be in indigenous hands,” said Mugabe.
“We want to be given back our stolen 20%.
“However the situation will not be difficult to redress now as we have a law that clearly states that a minimum of 51% should be in the hands of the indigenous citizens.”
Mugabe said it should be noted the empowerment group did not want to destabilise the company but was demanding what rightfully belonged to them.
He said letters had already been written to Indigenisation minister Saviour Kasukuwere on the group’s position.
“Minister Kasukuwere should deal with the Telecel issue in the same manner he has been dealing with the Nestlé and Zimplats issues,” said Mugabe.
AAG executive director Davison Gomo said the controversy surrounding the ownership of Telecel should be put to an end so that the empowerment group could move on to other projects.
“Obviously Telecel is a cash cow. You can imagine how we could have spread the wealth to the majority of people given our organisation’s membership base. The issue should be closed as soon as yesterday.”
The group comprises of Affirmative Action Group (AAG), National Miners’ Association of Zimbabwe, Integrated Engineering Group, Indigenous Women Business Organisation and Zimbabwe Farmers’ Union.
The empowerment group invested in Telecel through an investment vehicle, Empowerment Corporation.
Mugabe accused exiled businessman James Makamba, who was part of the empowerment group, of selling 20% of the group’s stake to Telecel International “Nicodemously” resulting in the group becoming a minority shareholder.
“We want our majority shareholding back. The condition of issuing a licence to Telecel has always been that at least 60% shareholding should be in indigenous hands,” said Mugabe.
“We want to be given back our stolen 20%.
“However the situation will not be difficult to redress now as we have a law that clearly states that a minimum of 51% should be in the hands of the indigenous citizens.”
Mugabe said it should be noted the empowerment group did not want to destabilise the company but was demanding what rightfully belonged to them.
He said letters had already been written to Indigenisation minister Saviour Kasukuwere on the group’s position.
“Minister Kasukuwere should deal with the Telecel issue in the same manner he has been dealing with the Nestlé and Zimplats issues,” said Mugabe.
AAG executive director Davison Gomo said the controversy surrounding the ownership of Telecel should be put to an end so that the empowerment group could move on to other projects.
“Obviously Telecel is a cash cow. You can imagine how we could have spread the wealth to the majority of people given our organisation’s membership base. The issue should be closed as soon as yesterday.”
