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Sikhumbuzo Moyo Senior Sports Reporter
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has expressed disappointment over delays in the payment of the African Union Sports Council Region 5 Under-20 Youth Games suppliers and has ordered that they be paid as a matter of urgency.The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture, Andrew Langa under whose jurisdiction the Games were run, yesterday said his ministry has started receiving batches of money to pay the suppliers, some of whom will start receiving their payments this week. “When I met the President yesterday, he was very, very concerned that we hadn’t paid our suppliers up to now. However, I’m happy to announce that we’ve since started receiving batches of money for that purpose and can confidently state that some of our suppliers will start getting their dues this week while others will get theirs next week,” said Langa.
Suppliers are believed to be owed in excess of $500,000 for goods and services provided during the December Games that were described as a resounding success by the organisers.
Some suppliers recently threatened to take their case to Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko as fears of not getting their money mounted.
Langa said he was grateful to President Mugabe for his undoubted support of the Games, whose legacy is beginning to be felt by even primary school kids who used the recently renovated White City Stadium for their National Association of Primary School Heads track and field athletics competitions.
Online Reporter
Londile Moyo