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Martin Kadzere Senior Business Reporter
ALLIED Timbers Holdings has appointed Mr Itayi Ndudzo, a Harare-based commercial lawyer, as chairman of the State-controlled enterprise following the departure of Mr Emmanuel Fundira.

Mr Fundira was relieved of his duties on Monday for as yet unclear reasons after serving as board chair for nine months.

Allied is involved in timber plantations and processing and falls under the purview of the Ministry of Environment, Water and Climate.

In a letter confirming Mr Ndudzo’s appointment, Secretary for Environment, Water and Climate Ministry Mr Prince Mupazviriho said the appointment was with effect from June 8.

“I would therefore like to congratulate you on this appointment and look forward to your very important contribution in given direction and control of the operations of the company,” wrote Mr Mupazviriho in a letter copied to the minister.

In an interview, Mr Ndudzo, who is also chairman of Doves Funeral Services and non-executive director of Doves Holdings, said he was prepared for the new task.

“I have faith in God and absolute confidence in my fellow board members who I believe have the necessary expertise and commitment to turn around the fortunes of the company,” said Mr Ndudzo.

He added that one of the immediate priorities was to appoint a substantive chief executive with capacity to put the company on a firm path to profit- ability.

Former chief executive Dr Joseph Kanyekanye left the group in February this year after agreeing on mutual separation with the board. Prior to the termination of his contract, Dr Kanyekanye was on suspension after the board raised several charges of misconduct against him. The suspension was meant to facilitate investigations into his conduct which was bordering on corruption, failure to observe operating procedures and gross insubor- dination.

While the reasons for Mr Fundira’s dismissal could not be immediately established, speculation was that the move could be linked to allegations of gross abuse of the company’s financial resources, as reported in the previous issue of our sister paper, The Sunday Mail.

Mr Fundira has denied the allegations