Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) general manager David Chawota’s corruption case has dragged in minister of Transport and Infrastructure Joel Biggie Matiza amid reports that Chawota is enjoying protection from the minister since the two have a long standing business relationship.
What raises eyebrows is that Chawota who was arrested last week on corruption charges has returned to work without going through disciplinary hearing as per corporate governance procedure.
Chawota who is out of custody after paying $700 bail, has been at the helm of CAAZ for the past 16
Studio Art was contracted to design an Airport Hotel at Robert Mugabe International Airport without following due process. Studio Art is owned by Matiza as stipulated on the company website.
It is reported that Matiza is the one who facilitated the return of Chawota.
“Matiza unilaterally decided to allow Chawota to come back at work because there is no board at CAAZ,” opined the source.
Last month Matiza dissolved the CAAZ board of directors amid
In a letter to the board, Matiza wrote: “I write to advise you
“Matiza enjoys a close business relationship with Chawota that is why he protects him. Remember his company Studio Art was awarded a contract to design the airport hotel and this was done illegally,” said the source.
When contacted for comment Tuesday, Matiza did not pick his phone and he did not respond to questions sent to him by The Zim Morning Post
This publication has it on good authority that this week,
“Chawota visited Minister Matiza yesterday (Monday) at his office of which Matiza is a potential witness on the $65 000 corruption charge he is facing,” said the source
The source further added that some witnesses were developing cold feet to testify in court against Chawota in fear of the minister’s muscle and reprisal.
“Some potential witnesses will not be able to testify in the courts because if they testify implicating Chawota they will be in trouble with the minister
When asked to comment on the legality of Chawota’s return to work, legal expert Lovemore Madhuku said if his (Chawota) employer did not suspend him then he was obliged to report for duty.
“If the employer has not suspended him he is liable to go to work,” said Madhuku.
However, in this