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Kasukuwere said.
No comment could be obtained from RioZim.
When The Herald called RioZim chief executive Mr Josh Sachikonye’s office yesterday, his personal assistant said he was in a meeting.
She referred this reporter to the human resources department, saying it handles media inquiries.
When she tried to transfer the call to human resources, she said a Mr Pasi who was supposed to take the questions was not in and she would ask him to call back.
But by late yesterday Mr Pasi had not returned the call.
RioZim is choking under a US$57 million debt, some of it owed to Zimbabwean banks.
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Prospective investors have been courting the banks presenting their proposals on how they will liquidate the debt when they assume control.
The banks are now involved in the boardroom battle to influence who takes over control of the gold, diamond and coal miner, which also refines nickel.
Sources said the banks are interested because they want to know whether the suitors have capacity to repay them.
One of the banks chaired by a RioZim executive is said to be in favour of Raintree and management at the mining firm taking over.
According to sources, there are moves to co-opt partners of Raintree into management and the board of RioZim.
The sources say the plan is to have them strategically positioned in anticipation of the takeover.
In December last year, RioZim was said to be coming up with a “revised” recapitalisation scheme and debt retirement strategy after shareholders rejected its initial plans.
Sources said a new plan was being worked on, but would “not be very different” from the proposals rejected earlier on.
One of its shareholders, Old Mutual, which holds close to 20 percent, was said to have agreed to underwrite part of the rights issue, which could result in it becoming the biggest shareholder.
RioZim runs Renco (gold), Sengwa (coal), Empress Nickel Refinery, Cam and Mine and has stake in Murowa Diamond Mine.
Online Reporter