/ 4 February 1999

‘ZIM OIL COMPANY CORRUPT’

ZIMBABWE’S national state oil procurement company is riddled with corruption, says early results of an inquiry into the firm. A cabinet minister announced the findings in Harare on Wednesday, saying the company had prejudiced more than $35-million over the last five years in flawed contracts. Outstanding debts also amount to more than $400-million. Transport and Energy minister Enos Chikowore said tendering procedures at the National Oil Company of Zimbabwe are in a shambles while financial and personnel mismanagement is rampant. Zimbabwe imports all its petroleum.

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