Bulawayo refuses to pick Mugabe bill

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THE Bulawayo City Council has refused to write off a $4 600 debt owed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) after it hired a fire engine to cover President Robert Mugabe’s plane last December.

THE Bulawayo City Council has refused to write off a $4 600 debt owed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Zimbabwe (CAAZ) after it hired a fire engine to cover President Robert Mugabe’s plane last December.

BY NQOBANI NDLOVU

CAAZ said fire engines were hired because the Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo International Airport does not have the equipment that could cover large aircraft such as the Boeing 767 used by Mugabe.

Mugabe was attending a graduation ceremony at the National University of Science and Technology.

According to latest council reports, the Finance and Development Committee received an application from CAAZ seeking a waiver of the $4 627,98 bill accrued after the fire brigade equipment was hired specifically for Mugabe’s plane.

 “The presidential flight (Boeing 767) has two categories higher than the current cover at the airport, hence the need to request for additional fire cover from Bulawayo City Fire Brigade for the national event,” part of the CAAZ letter to council reads.

 “It is with the above that your authority is sought to waive the standby charge for the presidential flight.”

The letter was circulated to council heads of departments who shot the request down. 

Financial director Kempton Ndimande and director of health services, Zanele Hwalima, argued that CAAZ should meet its own expenses and not pass them to other departments.

 “It is evident that the company (CAAZ) went out to outsource due to its failure to provide adequate cover,” Ndimande reportedly said.

“I suggest that the charges be not waived.”

CAAZ chief executive officer David Chawota could not be reached for comment yesterday.

 Fire cover services are used for air crash rescue and fire fighting emergency at airports.

Firefighting vehicles carry large capacities of water and firefighting foam, and are fitted with powerful high-capacity pumps and water/foam cannons, according to online source.