Staff Reporter

Rufaro Stadium’s future hangs in the balance as Sakunda Holdings has withdrawn from a proposed renovations deal, citing deliberate reneging by the Jacob Mafume led Harare City Council (HCC).

In a letter addressed to Harare City Mayor-cum-Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) Councillor Mafume, Sakunda expressed deep concern over unfounded and malicious allegations by the former that the later intends to purchase the Mbare based Stadium.

“We are shocked and disturbed by untruthful and malicious allegations that Sakunda intends to purchase Rufaro Stadium, which is a public asset. Nothing could be further from the truth, and we believe you know that. These unfounded allegations are grounded on malice and coordinated attempt to curtail our efforts to contribute to the revival and modernization of public infrastructure.

“We wish to place it on record again that Sakunda did not have any commercial interest in this project, suffice to say that our participation in the same was entirely philanthropic, for the public good. Consequently, we would like to hereby notify you of our withdrawal from the partnership,” wrote Sakunda Chief Operating Officer, Mberikwazvo Chitambo.

Chitambo further expressed that his organisation was forced to withdraw from the deal solely because of the toxicity in the Council’s attitude and its lack of desire to see the project go through.

“Given the toxicity we have now seen in Council’s attitude, and a lack of political will to implement the project on the part of Council, Sakunda hereby withdraws its participation from the project. Notwithstanding, all project designs and plans will be donated to Council in the public interest,” he wrote.

This is not the first time that Sakunda Holdings has complained over improper work ethics exhibited by HCC. The company once complained over the failure by the local council to avail officers from projects team ahead of a feasibility study in South Africa. HCC had instead bloated their entourage with unqualified personnel and their spouses

Developments on CCC led council’s lack of political will to allow the completion of Rufaro Stadium comes at a time where most of the stadiums in Zimbabwe are in urgent need of renovations after Confederation of African Football (CAF) declared Zimbabwe stadiums unsuitable for use back in November 2019.

In the same vein, corruption and unethical behaviours by HCC have led to the Ministry of Local Government and Public Works taking over projects being run by the Mafume led council.