All set for Masvingo share ownership scheme launch

However, he said a date is yet to be set.

The meeting was attended by 40 chiefs from Masvingo including president of the Chiefs Council, Chief Fortune Charumbira, Chivi Senator Josiah Hungwe, Zanu-PF Politburo Member Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire and provincial chairperson Cde Lovemore Matuke.

“We are only waiting for a date to be set but the $10 million for the launch has since been secured. We are not going back in empowering our communities who have been disadvantaged for a long time,” said Minister Kasukuwere.

He said the CSOS/T was meant to benefit the majority and not individuals.

“We will make sure that our people are empowered. I reiterate that these schemes are not for individuals but for the majority, as we want to see women, youths and people with disabilities benefitting. We will also not forget the freedom fighters who brought independence to the country. We are trying to open avenues for everyone. Of course not all people will be benefit from the country’s resources but our aim is to return wealth back to the black majority,” he said.

Minister Kasukuwere said the 10 percent that the local companies were asked to cede to the communities they operate in was just a starting point.

“President Mugabe asked me one day, where I got the 10 percent. That is the starting point because we could have gone up to 20 or 30 percent,” he said.

Speaking at the same occasion the Minister of Local Government, Rural and Urban Development, Dr Ignatius Chombo said the programme was not meant to benefit individuals, but communities.

“The money that would be deposited into the trust account does not belong to an individual but it is community money. The main purpose of the fund is to develop the rural areas. It will be used to build and repair schools, maintain roads and even buy machinery for borehole drilling,” said Dr Chombo.

He said the money was never meant for the rural district councils officials’ salaries and anyone caught abusing the trust funds would face the full wrath of the law.

“The trust funds are not for salaries and we don’t want to hear that local authorities who have been entrusted to manage the funds have used them to pay their workers. The scheme is meant to improve the livelihoods of rural people and I have resolutely stood by this programme. I work with Minister Kasukuwere who was mandated to ensure that the Indigenisation programme succeeds,” he said.

Dr Chombo said people should not fear that the money would land into the wrong hands.

“The CSOS/T is guided by the laws of the land and there is noone who will abuse the money. Fortunately we have not experienced any problems in areas where they have received these funds but we have only raised concern in some areas on the way they were running things,” he said.

Already CSOS/T has been launched in Matabeleland North and South, Manicaland, Mashonaland Central and West as well as Midlands.

In Masvingo companies that have been identified for the scheme include sugarcane giant, Tongaat Hullet, Bikita Minerals, Murowa Diamonds, Rio Tinto, Renco Mine and Mashava Mine.

Meanwhile,Tongaat Hullet management was conspicuous with their absence at the crucial meeting.

Chief Charumbira raised concern over the company’s attitude.

“We call upon Tongaat Hullet to respect chiefs by arranging a meeting with us so that they can explain their position to us,” he said.