Transport and Infrastructural Development Minister Dr Joram Gumbo yesterday spoke on the appointment of Robert Mugabe‘s son in-law, Simba Chikore as Chief Operations Officer at Air Zimbabwe and said that he was appointed on merit. Gumbo said Chikore was one of the 134 applicants who applied and attended interviews conducted by the board and a team of consultants.
Speaking to a Zimpapers journalist he said the appointment had nothing to do with his relationship with the First Family where he is a son-in -law,
We appointed him in his own right as Simba Chikore. Remember, he is a Zimbabwean who is entitled to take up any job as long as those offering it are satisfied that he is the best person. Remember, in any society, there are relations and that should not distract us from appointing competent people.
It has been widly reported that Chikore was a pilot, possibly for Emirates or Qatar Airways, but The Daily Telegraph established that he does not work for either and people in the aviation industry in southern Africa have never heard of him.
More: Herald, Chronicle, The Daily Telegragh