Ex-Telecel CEO seeks reinstatement

Published: 25 July 2013

FORMER Telecel Zimbabwe chief executive Mr Francis Mawindi is disputing his dismissal as CEO of the company arguing it was not justifiable contrary to the mobile phone operator's claims that he had resigned.

Mr Mawindi, who only lasted nine months since stepping into the hot seat in July 2012, has since taken the company to court seeking reinstatement.

Telecel operations in Zimbabwe are enmeshed in controversy as it seeks to renew its licence amid pressure from the Government to regularise its shareholding structure in line with the country's indigenisation laws.

The dismissed executive had initially taken the matter to the Labour Court, which has in turn directed the feuding parties to resolve the matter through arbitration.

The parties then approached the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, which is yet to provide an arbitrator, but Herald Business understands that Telecel has since allegedly admitted breaching Mr Mawindi's contract.

In an interview yesterday Mr Mawindi said discussions will now centre on the quantum of his compensation rather than the propriety or impropriety of the dismissal.

Mr Mawindi argued that his contract was unlawfully terminated and the reasons for termination were not justifiable.

When publicly announcing Mr Mawindi's departure in March this year, Telecel claimed that its former CEO had left to pursue other opportunities elsewhere.

Telecel Zimbabwe communications and brand director Mr Obert Mandimika yesterday referred all questions to Telecel International saying this was a policy issue that only the firm's Egyptian shareholders could answer.

Mr Mawindi claimed he was ejected from his position because of his stance on a number of operational and structural issues at Telecel Zimbabwe.

These included numerous consultants seconded to the firm from Orascom units without the input of local management, which was allegedly a result of the downsizing of operations by Egyptian firm operations in African and Asian markets after Russian firm Vimpelcom bought majority stake in Orascom.

Mr Mawindi was allegedly pushed out of Telecel Zimbabwe following three board meetings held in Cairo, Egypt in March, one of which was attended by chairman Mr James Makamba and preceded the last meeting in which Orascom director Mr Vincenzo Nesci announced his dismissal. Mr Nesci allegedly signed Mr Mawindi's dismissal letter from Telecel Zimbabwe.

The ex-Telecel CEO claimed that his dismissal was a result of his stance, contradictory to shareholders' irregular interests relating to external consultants and expatriates, recruitment, administration, procurement, global commercial and bilateral interconnection agreements, operational efficiency and effectiveness, which always allegedly benefited Telecel International.
- chronicle