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NewsDay

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Speaker’s son in botched airport fuel scam

News
SPEAKER of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda’s son, Donald, has been implicated in a botched 1,7 million litre diesel tender.

SPEAKER of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda’s son, Donald, has been implicated in a botched 1,7 million litre diesel tender meant for the refurbishment of Victoria Falls International Airport being carried out by a Chinese contractor — China Jiangsu International EEC. PAIDAMOYO MUZULU

According to documents at hand, Donald played a significant role as a middleman in facilitating the deal two years ago when his father was still chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (Caaz). China Jiangsu International EEC’s general manager Zhang Xin Bin has since written to Transport minister Obert Mpofu seeking his intervention to have the fuel delivered.

Donald yesterday confirmed to NewsDay his involvement in the deal. He said there were some logistical issues that needed to be addressed by the fuel supplier — Strauss Logistics.

“I am aware of the deal and I can confirm that basically, I facilitated everything between the Chinese and the local suppliers,” Donald said.

“Initially, Zuva Petroleum was supplying the fuel before it changed hands to Strauss Logistics.”

Strauss logistics could not be reached for comment yesterday. In the letter dated March 27 2014, Xin Bin said: “Up to June 7, 2013 we paid the former supplier to purchase 1,7 million litres, but they failed to supply the diesel to the Victoria Falls Airport Project properly.

“The balance is 750 000 litres and after a long time of negotiations, they still can’t supply the balance diesel.”

He said under the circumstances, the company was seeking the minister’s assistance to get a waiver on paying duty to import fuel for the project.