adminMathew Masinge
THE grand project, in which Sakunda Holdings had committed to transforming Rufaro into a modern facility has collapsed.
The company, which has invested millions into Dynamos and Highlanders, say there was lack of political will, within the City of Harare, to implement the massive project.
This is despite the investment, which has already seen Sakunda sending officials from the City of Harare, to South Africa to look at state-of-the-art facilities in that country.
There have been suggestions at City of Harare that Sakunda wanted to take over the iconic but badly-managed facility.
However, Sakunda have made it clear that their intention was simply to provide the city with a stadium which the capital would be proud of.
The energy company had, in March this year, obtained a lease to renovate the traditional home of football into a state-of-the-art facility.
Part of the renovations included installing bucket seats, improving the sewer and water reticulation system as well as constructing proper roads leading to the venue. This was sealed through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the two parties.
In a statement, Sakunda accused the City of Harare of displaying a toxic attitude, curtailing its efforts to contribute, revive and modernise the public infrastructure.
“We are shocked and disturbed by untruthful and malicious allegations that Sakunda intends to purchase Rufaro Stadium, which is a public asset,” wrote Sakunda Holdings chief operating officer, Charles Chitambo.
“Nothing could be further from the truth, and we believe you know that.
“These unfounded allegations are grounded on malice and a coordinated attempt to curtail our efforts to contribute to the revival and modernisation of public infrastructure,”
Chitambo reiterated that the partnership was purely a corporate social responsibility.
“We wish to place it on record again that Sakunda did not have any commercial interests in this project, suffice to say that our participation in the same was entirely philanthropic, for the public good. “Consequently, we would like to hereby notify you of our immediate withdrawal from the partnership.”
He said Sakunda Holdings will now donate all project designs and plans to the Council in the public’s interest.
“We are thankful for the cooperation we shared during the subsistence of the MOU and look forward to partnering with the City of Harare again in suitable projects for the development of our beautiful City of Harare for the exclusive benefit of its residents and stakeholders,” said Chitambo.
The refurbishment would have seen a shopping complex also being built at the stadium.
This is not the first time the City of Harare has been accused of frustrating private investors who have been targeting Rufaro.
Savanna Tobacco and another unnamed investor were also frustrated by the Harare City Council in 2014 and 2019.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter