The Sunday Mail
Over 400 resource-based companies that pledged millions of dollars towards community development are reneging on their commitments and want Government to exempt them from disbursing the money.
This is likely to stall key projects earmarked to improve the livelihoods of thousands of rural households.
The foreign-owned companies pledged a cumulative US$124 million to ensure Zimbabweans living in areas where they operate benefit from natural resources there.
However, only 13 firms have released US$25,9 million to 14 out of 58 Community Share Ownership Trusts (CSOTs) that were set up in keeping with the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act.
The trusts are vehicles through which communities develop critical infrastructure and run income-generating ventures.
US$5,25 million of the amount disbursed has been used to drill boreholes, rehabilitate roads as well as construct classrooms and clinics, among other initiatives.
Youth, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Deputy Minister Mathias Tongofa told The Sunday Mail that his ministry was agitated by slow-moving companies.
He said: “Most companies have approached us pleading for leniency, arguing that they are facing dire liquidity constraints. Some of them are unwilling to co-operate at all.
“But we continue to encourage them to approach us so that we negotiate flexible and mutually-beneficial terms. We remain sensitive to the challenges they are facing.
“However, that does not absolve them from honouring the pledges they made of their own volition.”
According to documents in The Sunday Mail’s possession, only a fraction of intended beneficiaries are gaining from CSOTs.
In the Midlands, 26 628 people out of the targeted 77 000 have benefited from the construction of one school (Musasa Primary), a mortuary, a dam and road rehabilitation.
The Zvishavane CSOT has benefited 11 238 villagers whose 17 primary and secondary schools have been refurbished. Zvegonadayataya Clinic has also been constructed in Ward 12 of the district.
Over 70 000 people are expected to benefit from the trust’s work.
In Gwanda, the CSOT has benefited over 32 309 villagers through the construction of a new clinic as well as rehabilitation of two other clinics.
Sukwi Irrigation Scheme has also been rehabilitated, with 116 357 people expected to benefit from all the trusts’ activities.
In Chegutu, only 1 750 out of the targeted 150 000 people have benefited.
Five schools have been rehabilitated while market stalls were constructed at Mubaira Growth Point.
The Mhondoro-Ngezi CSOT is also progressing slowly as 3 822 villagers have seen classroom blocks and staff houses being constructed at 15 schools in their area.
The Bindura trust has assisted 43 164 people, but still has to do more to attain its target of 124 000 beneficiaries.
In Zvimba, 2 486 out of 245 000 villagers have benefited.
