SELF-EXILED independent presidential candidate Saviour Kasukuwere says the state of Bulawayo industries anchors his team’s economic revival policy.
The former Cabinet minister made the remarks in his Bulawayo South constituency economic development policy concept.
Bulawayo South, currently under Zanu PF legislator Raji Modi, is home to the bulk of the city’s struggling and closed companies.
In his concept note, Kasukuwere said Bulawayo South could not go unnoticed.
“Merspin’s closure in 2010 affected 1 200 employees, including those of its subsidiaries and it needs US$30 million to resume operations, whereas Dunlop retrenched 2 000 people when it closed down in December 2016 and requires US$12 million working capital to resuscitate operations,” read Kasukuwere’s economic development concept paper.
“From these two giant firms, it’s noble to project that a total of 3 200 households lost their source of income ... we have National Blankets, O’Conolly, Radiator and Tinning, Olivine (Unilever), Cold Storage Company (CSC), Vitafoam and Ascot Clothing, to mention but a few
“The number goes beyond imagination of households that were and are in dire situations, while others are now in absolute poverty as they did not get alternatives and options to survive the new economic challenge presented at household level.”
Kasukuwere said his government would profile all companies which were struggling, had closed or downsized operations with the hope of securing investment capital.
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Bulawayo used to be Zimbabwe’s industrial hub.
At least 60% of the major companies in the city closed shop and some of the premises are being rented by indigenous businesspeople or churches.
Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions western region chairperson Ambrose Sibindi said Bulawayo had become a ghost city.
“This increased levels of poverty (have also increased) the crime rate. Government needs to have deliberate policies to attract investment in the city and it must fund revival of CSC and National Railways of Zimbabwe,” he said.
The 2009 to 2013 Government of National Unity (GNU) unveiled US$40 million under a Distressed Industries and Marginalised Areas Fund to recapitalise the affected industries, but the initiative floundered following the demise of the GNU.
Government then introduced another programme, the US$70 million Zimbabwe Economic and Trade Revival Facility, but Bulawayo companies continued to close shop or relocate to other cities.
