Mugabe’s office orders Harare to ditch French water reticulation firm

President Robert Mugabe has reportedly ordered Harare City Council to ditch French company, Veolia Africa, initially shortlisted to refurbish the city’s water treatment plant, on allegations that the firm has a questionable global reputation.

Instead, the Office of the President and Cabinet recommended that the city engages Chinese firm, China Machinery Engineering Corporation (CMEC), for the same project.

According to minutes of the council’s environment committee meeting held on March 27, 2017, the decision to dump the French company followed an adverse report made by Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Paris, Rudo Chitiga.

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