'Zimbabwe can forget about being the
dominant partner'
EFFORTS BY Zimbabwean investors to buy the 300km rail link from Beira to Mutare are likely to hit snags in the form of Mozambican dislike of its western neighbour's business practices.
Mozambique has become disenchanted with the bully boy attitude of Zimbabwe, which has too often tried to disregard its wishes along the Beira corridor. Painstaking efforts by the Beira Corridor Group and its successor have often been wrecked by imperious government directives about train services, administration and political control along the corridor.
Former head of the Beira Corridor Group, Eddie Cross, is at the forefront of a consortium trying to buy the line and a figure of US $82million (R492m) has been mentioned.
In principle Mozambique has no objection to selling the line, as privatisation of track and rolling stock is part of CFM's aims.
But political observers in Harare say Zimbabwe can forget about being the dominant partner.
Mozambique will be happy with a minority share from Zimbabwe, possibly in the form of the citrus growers and tobacco merchants, but there is little chance of letting Zimbabwe take over the line, said a transport consultant. Portuguese and Dutch companies also want a say and their stake will be at least as big as that of Zimbabwe.
Three years is seen as the minimum time it will take for the sale to be signed.
By Martin Rushmere
Copyright Now Media (Pty) Ltd
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