Matiza dissolves CAAZ board
Tinashe Makichi
Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Joe Biggie Matiza has dissolved the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) board of directors with immediate effect as it was falling to meet the requirements of the CAAZ Amendment Act.
The board had been appointed by former Transport Minister Joram Gumbo in 2016. It was chaired by promiment lawyer Thembinkosi Magwaliba.
Matiza confirmed dissolving the board:“Yes I can confirm that the board has been dissolved.”
In a letter to the board, Matiza wrote: “I write to advise you that following the promulgation of the CAAZ Amendment Act Number 10 of 2018, holders of public office are disqualified from being CAAZ board members. As you are aware there are two members whop hold public office on the current CAAZ board, and the new law requires that they be relieved of their duties.
“Furthermore noting that Mrs V Chivaridzo has relocated to Zambia and my office has not ratified her continued service on the board from outside the country due to the precarious position of CAAZ. To that extent it is my considered view that the board can no longer execute its functions as required and expected by the law,” said Matiza in the letter.
Information gathered points to the fact that there has been bad blood between the board and the newly appointed Minister.
The awarding of the $25 million formerly valued at $33 million tender to the Spanish company has been mired in controversy amid allegations that it did not follow due process.
Last year, Matiza told that the ministry had received recommendation from the board and “the approvals that Indra had received from all the regulatory authorities and after that we thought it was prudent to give green light to the deal because we need to move fast”.
“As it stands right now the Zimbabwe airspace is a black spot and we think this project is critical and must go ahead with immediate effect. The country has also been losing revenue and it is critical that air traffic management is made a priority,” he said then.
