Potraz Chairman Quits, Just Before Starting

8 February 2016

Few years ago, he had to fight tooth and nail in a difficult economic environment to turn around various enterprises he was leading but for the year 2016, ironically the heavens were just but smiling for him.

The newly appointed Potraz board chairman Mr Brian Mutandiro, hits our headlines again, few weeks after announcing his appointment as Potraz chairman, it seems the man has got another better job offer at the first state run mobile operator.

Speaking to TechnoMag during an interview, Mr Brian Mutandiro explained that he had to immediately resign as the Potraz chairman after seeing the prospects of being the Chief Operations Officer at Netone, for obvious reasons of conflict of interest.

“I could not be both an operator and a regulator at the same time, so obviously I had to resign first as the Potraz Chairman before taking on the post as the Netone Chief Operation Officer.”

His pronouncement settles the dust on obvious conflict of interest which was now being raised surrounding his latest appointment to the second most top post at Netone, while on the other and he was leading the nation`s telecommunications regulatory board.

Of course trying to investigate what came first may be as futile as solving the hen and egg situation, a matter which does not contribute to the growth of the sector in any manner.

The focus now is how is he going to deliver at Netone, in this highly demanding and dynamic sector, we have over emphasized on the need to get the post filled and he has got his 52 years of age and experience to his disadvantage and advantage respectively, but like he said, results will speak better for himself.

Responding to his latest appointment, Netone Chairman Mr Alex Marufu said that:

"I am satisfied that we have finally put the appointment of a COO to rest…His appointment puts into place a key role in the new structure that we put in place to turn around the fortunes of Net One. The results already speak for themselves…and results don’t lie.  Our user numbers are growing.  Our revenue growth is encouraging, in a market where all the other players are talking of declining revenue.  We are clawing our way out of the red.

"Brian comes in at an exciting time.  We have a lot of young people that we have brought in to rejuvenate our ability to innovate and take products to the market.  Our new adverts are fresh.  There are interesting products coming out or in the pipeline.  With Brian’s maturity and ability to drive businesses to profitability, I am confident we are on track to become a leading player in this market."

The Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Hon Supa Mandiwanzira has another new head ache to get the post filled as he officially commences work from his leave.

Is he going to appoint the deputy or scrounge for another next best man to fill this one up, Potraz team has been long awaiting for the official unveiling of the new members since the last lot were booted out.

- Technomag Zimbabwe