Academic and trade economics expert Dr Gift Mugano has stepped down from the board of the currently defunct Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company (Zisco).
Mugano steps down from his position of acting chairman after saying he wants to continue to provide the nation with “uninterrupted” perspectives.
“As a follow up to our conversations over my comments on public media on Government policies which are
viewed by some sections of Government as in direct conflict with my role as a board member of a State Enterprise, I took a reflection of the concerns and decided to resign from the Zisco board,” said Dr Mugano in his resignation letter dated 29 June 2020.
“The decision to resign is built on a firm view that I believe that my contribution on the policy discourse is of primary importance which cannot be forfeited in favour of maintaining a micro role as the interim Chairman and Board member of Zisco.
“For avoidance of doubt, notwithstanding the arguments that my comments are negative and retrogressive, evidence shows that in a number of times policy makers regularly took up my submissions.
In any way, the Second Republic, in line with the provision of the Constitution of Zimbabwe on freedom of expression, which is outlined in the Transitional Stabilisation Programme paragraph 1766, has opened the space for citizens which include commentators such as economists to freely express themselves.
“It is on the basis of the foregoing that I took a firm view that it is in the best interest of the country that I
continue to provide uninterrupted and constructive views on various policies without any constraint for the interest of our beloved country. It is my sincere hope too that Government will remain open to divergent views on various policies and pieces of legislations.”
Just last week, Government added new members to the Zisco board namely: Engineer Martin Manhuwa, Mr Demand Gwatinetsa and Mr Edmore Tafirenyika, while Dr Farai Karonga has been appointed acting chief executive officer.
Mugano was retained from the previous board, but he has chosen another path.
The presently mothballed Zisco was the country’s largest steel works.
The company has faced many operational problems and corruption scandals, and several efforts to revive the company have failed.