NRZ search for general manager continues

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THE struggling National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) says it is still hunting for a general manager after claiming that 40 candidates failed interviews last year.

THE struggling National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) says it is still hunting for a general manager after claiming that 40 candidates failed interviews last year. BY MTHANDAZO NYONI NRZ has been without a substantive general manager since the death of retired air commodore Mike Karakadzai in August 2013.

The parastatal advertised for the post last year and held interviews for the top job, but said all the 40 candidates failed to make the cut.

NRZ general manager Alvord Mabena said they had widened their search to the Diaspora.

“We have extended the search to the Diaspora because we want to give every Zimbabwean a chance and get the best candidate.

“As such, we have not shortlisted anyone,” Mabena said.

“We are pushing our employment agency to speed up the exercise because a big parastatal like the NRZ cannot run without a substantive general manager.

“Once we finalise the exercise, we will make a public statement.”

Lewis Mukwada has been running the NRZ since Karakadzai’s death.

NRZ is in dire need of fleet renewal, with most wagons more than 40 years old and having gone beyond their lifespan.

The parastatal moved 3,6 million tonnes of goods in 2013, against a target of six million.

In 1998, the NRZ moved 18 million tonnes of goods.

A funding proposal prepared by Mukwada last year showed that the company was seeking an excess of $2 billion to fully recapitalise.

Immediate salvation, however, is expected to come from a proposed $750 million loan from the Development Bank of South Africa.

Government officials have on several occasions indicated that the deal was almost complete.