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Minister Mpofu

Walter Muchinguri Assistant Business Editor
Educationist and business consultant Dr Themba Nyoni has been fired as the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe board chairperson barely a year after his appointment. Dr Nyoni was appointed to the CAAZ board together with seasoned civil servant Mrs Pamela Maringire, Retired Group Captain with the Air Force of Zimbabwe Mr Pax Nkomo, corporate services executive Mr George Manyaya, corporate governance specialist Mrs Rosa Dube and business consultant Mr Moosa Allana in May last year.

Transport and Infrastructure Development Minister Dr Obert Mpofu, who fired Dr Nyoni, blamed him for the board’s failure to discharge its duties.

In a letter addressed to Dr Nyoni on Monday Dr Mpofu wrote: “This letter serves to advise that you have been removed from the position of chairperson and non-executive director of the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe with effect from 29 June 2015.

“This comes subsequent to compelling evidence that the board has rendered itself unable to control the operations of the authority.”

Mr Nyoni has since been replaced by Mr Allana. In another letter also issued on Monday, Dr Mpofu said Mr Allana’s appointment will run concurrently with the current tenure of the board unless it’s terminated.

“It is my wish that during your tenure in office you will strive at all times to serve the organisation to your best capabilities towards its sustainable growth.

“I also wish to impress upon you the importance of teamwork and objectivity guided by results-oriented performance,” Dr Mpofu wrote.

During the announcement of the CAAZ board last year, Dr Mpofu warned the board members to desist from the practice of drawing hefty allowances through holding “too many meetings” or risk being fired.

“It has come to my attention that some boards are meeting more frequently outside the stipulated number of meetings,” he said in a speech.

“Once again I want to caution you against this practice. I therefore do not want to see bloated expenditure on board remuneration.

“You must stick to what was approved and if the need arises, you should seek my approval for any variations.”

CAAZ is in charge of all airports in the country, the major ones being the Harare International Airport, Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport in Bulawayo, the Victoria Falls International Airport, Kariba Airport, Charles Prince Airport, Buffalo Range Airport, Hwange Airport and Masvingo Airport.

At the airports, CAAZ offers a variety of services such as aircraft parking, ground handling, fuelling, airside shuttle buses, security and fire and rescue.