HARARE – Ziscosteel interim chairman Gift Mugano resigned over attempts to stifle his critical views on government policy.

In a letter to industry and commerce minister Sekai Nzenza, the economist said he was unwilling to trade his freedom to comment candidly on policy issues in exchange for the position.

“…my contribution on the policy discourse is of primary importance which cannot be forfeited in favour of maintaining a micro role as interim chairman and board member of ZISCO,” he wrote to Nzenza.

The resignation was a follow up “to our conversations over my comments in the media on government policies which are viewed by some sections of government as in direct conflict with my role as a board member of a state enterprise”.

Mugano criticised the attempt to muzzle him saying it was inconsistent with government’s stated position on freedom of expression.

It is unclear which comments prompted Nzenza’s attempt to gag him, but speculation is rife that his pointed criticism of the foreign currency auction system had irritated the authorities.

“The conditions of the system are a minimum of US$50,000 and maximum being US$500,000. How many companies can afford it? They will go on the black market. Where there is an alternative market, people usually opt for that,” he said in comments carried by the Zimbabwe Independent just days before the launch of the system.

Mugano holds a PhD in economics and is a prolific commentator on a variety of policy areas.

Nzenza on Monday said she had accepted Mugano’s resignation, insisting that he was only a transitional chairman.

“On behalf of the ministry of Industry and Commerce, the minister would like to thank Dr Mugano for his contribution to Ziscosteel (Pvt) Ltd in his acting capacity,” she said in a statement, adding that a substantive chairperson would soon be announced.

“The ZISCO board is now validly constituted with a mature, diverse, and competent team of experienced professionals who individually expressed their strong desire to lead the revival of ZISCO utilising new technologies,” she added.

Ziscosteel, which used to have a combined turnover in excess of US$1 billion, employing over 5,000, remains in ruins despite more than a decade of government efforts at revival.