THE Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Youth, Indigenisation and Economic empowerment has summoned Telecel Zimbabwe to appear before Parliament and brief legislators on its plans to comply with the Indigenisation and Empowerment Act.
BY STAFF REPORTER
Telecel is embroiled in a serious tussle with the government that saw the cancellation of its operating licence by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe.
The High Court has, however, given Telecel a temporary reprieve to allow the company to engage the Information Communication Technology minister Supa Mandiwanzira over the issue.
The committee chaired by Gokwe-Nembudziya MP Justice Mayor Wadyajena said the company had been summoned to appear before Parliament today.
“As part of its oversight role, the above-mentioned committee is inviting Telecel Pvt Ltd board of directors, management and workers’ representatives to a meeting scheduled for Thursday 21 May 2015 at 10am in the Senate Chamber ground floor, Parliament building,” the invitation reads.
“The purpose of the meeting is for you to brief the committee on Telecel Pvt Ltd plans to comply with the Indigenisation Act.”
Last week, businessman Gilbert Muponda told a business meeting organised by the Black Business Forum of Zimbabwe that Telecel was granted a licence on the basis that it would incorporate everyone, including civil servants, war veterans and farmers among others, but failed to do that.
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“It came out to be a group of individuals” Muponda said. “They should be listed on the stock exchange so that the public can buy or give people with capacity. We need to give the licence to a big company to compete with Econet. It can’t be allowed to dominate the market.”
Telecel International owns 60% of Telecel Zimbabwe, while locals, through the Empowerment Corporation, have a 40% stake in the company. The company has allegedly failed to pay for its operating licence, a claim Telecel disputes.
