TINASHE MAKICHI
Zimbabwe Tourism Authority board chairman Osborne Majuru resigned from his position and the board in protest against Environment, Tourism and Hospitality Minister’s Minister Prisca Mupfumira’s direct control of the organisation, Business Times can report.
He is believed to have resigned two weeks ago before the arrest of Mupfumira on charges related to her tenure as Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare.
This publication is informed that Majuru, who was appointed as chairman this year, cited insubordination from the current ZTA management led by acting chief executive Rita Likukuma.
Well-placed sources said Likukuma was no longer consulting the ZTA board on decisions but would deal with Mupfumira directly.
“The appointment of Likukuma was strategic on the side of the Minister because she also wanted to have direct control of the parastatal, which has proven to be a money spinning machine for the Ministry,” said a source close to developments.
Likukuma is currently under fire for various reasons but chief among them the irregular dismissal of 35 employees, which she is said to have done without board approval. The employees have now been reinstated following a ruling from the Retrenchment Board, which cited irregularities in how the retrenchments were handled.
Majuru wrote his letter of resignation to Mupfumira and ZTA vice board chair Precious Sibiya. Information also points to the fact that the Office of the President has been contacted over the matter.
Majuru could not be drawn into commenting extensively for professional reasons.
“I cannot comment on ZTA issues for professional reasons and out of respect of ZTA as a key national institution,” said Majuru.
