BUSINESS REPORTER
The Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) has retired Karikoga Kaseke as CE with effect from July 1 after a long period of indisposition, acting board chairperson Precious Sibiya has said.
“Dr Kaseke fell ill in November 2018 and has not been well since then. His retirement followed the recommendations of a medical Board and is effective 1 July 2021,” Sibiya said in a statement.
Kaseke was seconded to become ZTA chief executive in 2005 replace Walter Kanhanga. Before joining ZTA, Kaseke held positions of permanent secretary in the Ministry of Transport and was CEO of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe.
“The board and indeed everyone had hoped for his recovery and we continue to pray for the restoration of his health. Dr KK, as he is affectionately known, will be sadly missed in the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority in particular and the tourism industry as a whole both locally and beyond our borders,” Sibiya said.
A no nonsense administrator, Kaseke is credited with chucking out the business as usual culture in most state owned entities and parastatals.
But critics accuse the veteran administrator of overstepping his mandate like when removed the shoes of an employee at a hospitality group on the grounds that they were torn and would present a negative image on Zimbabwe.
Meanwhile, ZTA has begun the hunt to recruit a substantive CE with interested candidates expected to submit their applications by close of business on August 26. Givemore Chidzidzi is the acting CE.
