Senior Reporter
Harare councillors want the city to terminate all partnerships that do not benefit council and to ensure business ventures are implemented after approval by the business committee.The councillors are unhappy that a number of joint ventures between the city and local and international partners have not materialised or are not benefiting the city.
They thus resolved that all council business projects be implemented after thorough investigations by the business committee.
In 2011, Ningbo Baitai of China committed US$200 million to establish a textile manufacturing firm, oil processing and stock feed business and land for the project was allocated near High Glen Shopping Centre but nothing materialised.
The Chinese also agreed to invest US$60 million towards the refurbishment and upgrading of Mbare Musika. All the projects were expected to be completed by December 2013.
Furthermore, a joint venture with Mubaiwa Hotel had not been effective as the partner reneged.
Mubaiwa Hotel partnered council in a deal to construct additional lodges at Coronation Park, but according to minutes of the business committee of June 24 this year, there are now plans to buy out Mubaiwa Hotel and to engage another partner.
Augur Investments agreed to construct the Airport Road and an upmarket housing development at Warren Hills Golf Course.
Harare and Augur Investments formed a joint venture company, Sunshine Properties to manage the investments. Augur completed a small stretch of Airport Road, but is still to undertake the Warren Hills Golf Course housing project.
During the same year, council and African Sun formed Harare Sun Mall to build a shopping mall and conference centre at the Parklane parking lot.
The investment, worth US$70 million, is yet to materialise.
The city and The Facts from Botswana, formed Harare Wave Waste with an initial capital of US$120 million under which the former was to undertake waste management and recycling.