Telecel leadership squabbles, AAG slams government

Published: 10 June 2013

The Affirmative Action Group (AGG) has raised concern over failure by government to intervene in the Telecel leadership squabbles and the mobile operator's deliberate disregard of the country's indigenisation laws.

Comments by the empowerment lobby group come amid reports that Telecel Zimbabwe has sacked its Chief Executive Officer, Francis Mawindi who assumed office late last year.

Speaking to State media in Harare, AAG Chief Executive Officer, Davison Gomo said government should not compromise its position by allowing international capital to dictate terms at the expense of indigenous people.

Dr Gomo claimed Mr Mawindi has been pushed out to create space for a foreigner to take the position.

"We are concerned on the recent developments which have left many questions on the mobile operator as it has for long remained non-compliant with the laws of the land. Vempel Telecom through Orascom is holding to 60 percent of the firm while only 40 percent is for the locals. Mr Mawindi has been sacked despite a good record and if they say he is set for greener pastures, how green is that considering that he left the United States for the post at Telecel," he said.

Contacted for comment, Mr Mawindi said there is no comment for now but indicated that information will be released in the immediate future.

State media claims that it is reliably informed that Mr Mawindi has been allegedly sacrificed because he was uncomfortable with the idea of awarding contracts to foreign companies when local companies can do the job.

The mobile operator is owned 60 percent by Orascom, an Egyptian firm which has been bought recently by a Russian company.

At one point, government raised concern over the hiring of foreign employees by the mobile operators, promising to take action.

However, nothing has happened since.

Information filtering in shows that Mr John Swaine is set to take over as Telecel's new Chief Executive Officer.

- zbc

Tags: Telecel,