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BULAWAYO Provincial Minister of State Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo yesterday said Acting President Phelekezela Mphoko could not tour Merlin (Pvt) Limited in Bulawayo as it was not part of the programme.
The Acting President is in the city on a three-day Zim-Asset familiarisation visit, which include a tour of companies.
On Wednesday Merlin’s key shareholder, Delma Lupepe, said the now defunct clothing giant has missed the opportunity to be visited by the country’s leadership because the judicial manager, Cecil Madondo, reportedly refused with the keys to the Belmont premises.
He said the Acting President would have loved to visit the firm and assist in its revival, which was not possible without the cooperation of Madondo.
However, Minister Moyo, who is coordinating the tours, said it was misleading to claim the Acting President was locked out.
“Merlin isn’t part of the programme and it’s misleading to say the Acting President was locked out. This gives the impression that our leader isn’t wanted by people.
“The Acting President has the power to tour Merlin if he wants and should there be a need to facilitate a tour for such closed firms we’ll do it,” said Minister Moyo.
The giant firm has remained defunct after being placed under provisional judicial management in 2011.
Moyo said her office was open to engaging the businesses community to find common solutions to develop the city’s economy and pledged to facilitate a visit by the country’s leadership on other struggling firms including those under judicial management such as National Blankets.
She urged local entrepreneurs to tap domestic opportunities and assist the government in turning around the economy.
Even owners of closed firms should be prepared to rent their properties than having them lying idle, she said.
Initial plans to rescuscitate Merlin stalled last year after interested groups and some creditors clashed over the appointment of Madondo, who has been accused of allegedly failing to come up with a turnaround strategy.
Lupepe has said paperwork for the re-opening of the Merlin in the next three months was being concluded. The firm is set to adopt a revised business model that will include manufacturing of diapers and sanitary ware.
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