When TechnoMag called the ICT minister for the outcome of the meeting, Hon Supa Mandiwanzira could not be drawn to comment further but insisted that he would rather tweet the outcome in the next few minutes.
A follow up on the social network only indicated that the minister was happy and the future was bright for the company but as as smart as the minister is, he decided to make a few leads towards the future.
“Just finished a very positive meeting with Vimpelcom. It would appear the future of TZ (Telecel Zimbabwe) is orange, it’s bright”
Wait a minute! Telecel Zimbabwe is definitely not Orange, its red and the minister is not colour blind.
We have strong reasons to believe that the Vimplecom team which already has been selling its stake may have resolved to solve the indeginisation impasse by selling their stake to noone else but the same government which has been pushing for the regularization of the imbalance.
When we called other sources close to the matter they showed shock and panic about how we got wind of the transaction and preferred to distance themselves from commenting on this hot matter completely.
They could not deny or confirm the matter but preferred absolute separation from the matter as this is considered highly confidential.
It is however not clear what percentage the government is going to buy from the stake if the statement is anything to go buy and how will Telecel Zimbabwe continue to operate under such an arrangement but since it was already wiling to sell both its local and international stake, it may just be business as usual.
The government in this position is the only player who is likely comfortable about buying such a stake which already requires $137.5 million licence pending regularization of the empowerment law, a risk only the government can do without completely.
This follows recently after the $20million Brainworks offer was frustrated and immediately collapsed.
Netone`s licence is also expiring soon, (or has already technically expired) and this is one thing which will not bother the government as we have not yet heard of any renewal plans or commitments made so far.This move may even override the latest order to close down Telecel business in 30days.
So the Telecel closure businesss is now going under the carpet, or maybe as we guessed it was nothing but a smoke screen to create room for the big brother!
If this deal is anything to go by Supa Mandiwanzira will be the biggest hero and winner here and certainly will be paid handsomely for brokering such a deal in few months after joining the government, probably outdoing the supersonic minister, Hon Nelson Chamisa.
It may obviously sound like the Econet anti competition at face value but this would be better than killing Telecel Zimbabwe which was now finding it difficult to operate in Zimbabwe, worse off being bought as it is already priced at x-$137,5 million.
This will only look like Facebook buying Whatsapp, allowing the two entities in strong social media competition to compete separately, although this time the thin line is very difficult to separate.
SOURCE: TECHNOMAG
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