Masimirembwa Axed
22 December 2015
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axed...Godwills Masimirembwa
axed…Godwills Masimirembwa

CMED (Pvt) Ltd chairperson Mr Godwills Masimirembwa has been fired amid reports of a tiff between him and new Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo over the reinstatement of the parastatal’s suspended managing director Mr Davison Mhaka.
Mr Mhaka was suspended in 2014 pending investigations into his role in the botched fuel scam in which the utility lost $3 million after a contracted firm, First Oil, failed to deliver in 2013.
The parastatal also suspended fuel manager Mr Brian Manjengwa to facilitate disciplinary measures.
In an interview yesterday, Dr Gumbo confirmed the developments.
“It is true that he has been relieved of his duties and he is no longer with CMED. At the moment the deputy (Mr Seymour Mpofu) is acting,” he said.
Asked whether Mr Masimirembwa was fired over the Mhaka saga, Dr Gumbo said; “It might be one of the reasons but the point is I have relieved him of his duties.
“They work at the pleasure of the minister and it’s not a permanent job. It’s a job to steer the board.”
Sources close to developments say Dr Gumbo wanted Mr Mhaka reinstated before the conclusion of some investigations on the allegations, while Mr Masimirembwa and other board members were protesting the decision.

Reads Dr Gumbo’s letter to Mr Masimirembwa last Friday; “As I move with my programmes to align the activities and Strategic Plan of parastatals and State-owned enterprises under my Ministry, it has become necessary to effect some changes in the leadership of the CMED Pvt Ltd.
“In this regard, this serves to advise that you have been relieved of your position as the chairman of CMED Pvt Ltd with immediate effect.
“You are instructed to immediately return all documents, material and any property belonging to CMED currently under your possession and any rate, not later than 1600 hours on Monday 21 December 2015.
“May I take this opportunity to thank you for leading CMED Pvt Ltd in the capacity of board chairman for the past one and half years. I wish you the best in your future endeavours.”
Information at hand says differences between Minister Gumbo and Mr Masimirembwa started when the minister wrote a letter to him on November 25, advising him that the parastatal should reinstate Mr Mhaka.
This was after the disciplinary authority led by Retired Justice Simbi Mubako, had just finalised deliberating the various charges Mr Mhaka was facing.
The authority made a summary, which did not contain the reasons in full for the determination of the matter.
Mr Mhaka was found guilty for an act or conduct inconsistent with the fulfilment of the express or implied conditions of the respondent’s contract of employment.
He was also found guilty of gross incompetence and inefficiency.
Mr Mhaka was cleared on theft or fraud and also on wilful disobedience to a lawful order.
According to the November 25 letter, Dr Gumbo wanted Mr Mhaka reinstated.-State Media