NATIONAL airline Air Zimbabwe has appointed corporate quality, safety and security head Edmund Makona as the acting chief executive officer, taking over from Innocent Mavhunga who has been in an acting capacity for the executive post since 2011.
Victoria Mtomba Business Reporter
Mavhunga was reportedly sent on forced leave last month on allegations of incompetence.
The management crisis came as the airline was yesterday expected to have paid R5 million owed to the South African government in landing and parking fees.
Sources who requested anonymity said Makona was appointed as acting chief executive of the airline after Mavhunga was put on forced leave.
“Makona was appointed two weeks ago by the Air Zimbabwe board after Mavhunga was sent on leave on incompetence charges,” sources said.
Contacted for comment, the Air Zimbabwe former acting chief executive officer declined to comment, referring all questions to Air Zimbabwe chairman Ozias Bvute.
“I cannot comment. Get in touch with the chairman of the board,” he said.
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Calls to Bvute’s number were not getting through as he was said to be outside the country.
Sources revealed that the airline owes South African airports R5 million and is expected to pay the money by this week.
“Bvute is out of the country and will be back on Wednesday (tomorrow). If Air Zimbabwe fails to meet the deadline, it risks incurring interest fees,” the sources said.
Early this year, the parastatal held interviews for the chief executive officer’s post.
Air Zimbabwe has had one of the highest turnovers of executives, with Makona being the sixth person to take the office either substantively or on an acting capacity since 1995.
The flag carrier was once headed by Peter Chikumba, Oscar Madombwe, Tendai Mahachi, Innocent Mavhunga and Rambai Chingwena.
Air Zimbabwe owes various creditors over $140 million.
The parastatal has the highest labour turnover in chief executives and is a major threat to the incoming Transport minister Obert Mpofu.
