Turning Textile Mills into church sparks outrage

Governor and Resident Minister for Bulawayo Metropolitan Province Cain Mathema, Mayor Councillor Thaba Moyo and Bulawayo United Residents Association (Bura) chairperson, Mr Winos Dube, concurred that the development was sad and defeated the efforts to restore Bulawayo’s former glory of being the country’s industrial hub.
Textile Mills, which used to employ hundreds of people, closed shop in 2009 at the onset of the dollarisation era, citing viability and liquidity challenges.
The company, located along Josiah Chinamano Road, was involved in the manufacture and marketing of woven fabrics.
Governor Mathema said turning Textile Mills into a church was “sad and silly”.
He said there was a need for responsible ministries to review the requirements for the Distressed Industries and Marginalised Areas Fund (Dimaf) to assist struggling companies to access the loan.
“Owing to operational challenges, many companies have since closed down and as it stands it is only those companies that are being backed by the West who will benefit because they have the muscle to meet the requirements,” said Governor Mathema.
Clr Moyo said the move to set up a church at Textile Mills was painful and disappointing, as most people, including the company’s employees, were hopeful that it would benefit from the Government’s $40 million rescue package under the Dimaf.
Finance Minister Tendai Biti launched Dimaf in October last year following recommendations by the taskforce on the Let Bulawayo Survive campaign.
Most businesses are pinning their hopes on the fund to revamp their operations after closing shop due to operational challenges, but however, only three companies have so far benefited from Dimaf.
“The development is very disappointing because it shows us that there is no light at the end of the tunnel after all and those employees who were still hoping that they might get back to work after benefiting from Dimaf have nowhere to go, so it is the end of life for them,” said Clr Moyo.
He said the only solution was that members of the Let Bulawayo Survive committee urgently look into the matter before it is too late.
“They need to intervene and prioritise that company and see to it that it benefits from Dimaf,” said Clr Moyo.
The textile company, Clr Moyo said, needed urgent help so that it resumes manufacturing, as it was the backbone of the country’s economy.
Mr Dube said the development comes as a shock as it came at a time when people expected progress in the revival of the local industry.
“Now with the Dimaf being disbursed, we hoped that industries would start opening and start creating jobs for Bulawayo residents,” said Mr Dube.
He said it was disappointing to see industrial infrastructure being put aside to pave way for a church.
“Of course, we are God-fearing but people need jobs so that they are able to survive. In any case, we hope that souls will be saved,” said Mr Dube.
Pastor Makandiwa could not be reached for comment, but a senior UFCM official who preferred anonymity said they were happy that their search for premises was over.
“We will be moving in there (Textile Mills) in a few weeks as work is under way at the moment to make that place usable,” said the official.