Sydney Gata, the Executive Chairman of Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority survived an assassination attempt yesterday on his way from the airport.
The ZESA boss had gone for a trip abroad and returned aboard a Kenyan Airways airline and landed at Robert Mugabe International Airport before being driven some at around 2 am.
Law enforcement agents who spoke to local publication Zimlive revealed that Gata’s car was shot at by gunmen.
Reports indicate that Gata and his driver were travelling in a silver Mercedes Benz vehicle when assailants driving a black twin cab bakkie without number plates pulled alongside Gata’s car and started shooting.
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Luckily, Gata’s driver accelerated from the scene, before any of them was shot. The car was examined and was found with five bullet holes.
Zimbabwe Republic Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi said investigations were still being carried out. Investigators believe the incident was an assassination attempt on the 74-year-old ZESA chairman and not a robbery attempt.
In his position, Gata wields power over the awarding o tenders for maintenance of infrastructure and expansion at the power utility.
His power was demonstrated when his suspension allegedly led to the firing of then Energy Minister Fortune Chasi. Eyebrows were raised when President Mnangagwa admitted while touring businessman Doug Munatsi’s farm, that Chasi was good at his job. It is alleged that Chasi was removed as Energy Minister and replaced by Soda Zhemu for suspending Gata and his board.
The President later reinstated Gata and his board under the pretext of avoiding a power vacuum. The investigation into Gata’s alleged mismanagement has not progressed since the firing of Chasi.
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