-manager accused of favouritism
MIDWEEK REPORTER
MASVINGO-The crippling shortage of beer in the country, which is threatening the liquor industry is set to end soon, Delta Corporation has said.
Since February beer retailers and wholesalers who get their supplies from Delta Corporation have been stewing due to shortage of the intoxicating beverage which is threatening to push them out of business.
When contacted for a comment Delta Corporation general manager corporate affairs, Patricia Murambinda acknowledged the problem and said it was caused by routine maintenance work, but normal production has since resumed.
“We are aware of the supply pressure being experienced in some parts of the country, including Masvingo. This was mainly due to scheduled overhauls and maintenance work on our packaging lines at the end of September and the beginning of October.
“The interventions were necessary to ensure long-term efficiency and consistent quality. We are pleased to advise that normal production has since resumed, and supplies are expected to steadily improve going forward.
“However, some mismatch of supply of particular brands may be experienced occasionally.
“We appreciate your patience and continued support of our brands,” said Murambinda.
However, retailers and wholesalers contacted by The Midweek Watch in Masvingo City were singing a different tune and said the beer shortage began way back in February and not in September as alluded to by Murambinda.
“We started experiencing serious beer shortages in Masvingo in February this year and up to now we are singing the blues. The shortages have affected our operations because we have a lot of overheads that we need to pay, things like salaries, rentals, council rates, ZIMRA and many other statutory payments. It is difficult for us to pay all those if we do not have enough stock, we are going through a very difficult period and we may end up closing some outlets or retrenching staff because most of the time the bars are empty.
“It’s either you have beer but of less popular brands or the popular brands are quickly finished and you are left with slow moving brands,” said Taurai Mdzivadondo who operates bars and wholesalers at Mucheke Rank and other places in the ancient city.
Prominent liquor retailer, Fidelis Charumbira Musango was more blunt and squarely laid the blame on the new depot manager, Leonorah Kateedza whom he accused of not being fare in sharing the available commodity by feeding the parallel market and sidelining the city operators.
Musango said on Sunday he joined the queue at 1am but only managed to get the supplies at 1pm the following day and it was only half of what he required leaving him with no option but to close some outlets as the beer was not enough.
He also blamed the monopoly being enjoyed by Delta for its complacency.
“We strongly suspect that the new manager is a dealer because she gives preference to rural operators and some dealers who bring fake operating licences, some go to the extent of borrowing licences knowing very well that they will get any quantities they want because they are connected to the manager.
“We understand that sometimes machines breakdown from time to time, but it is unacceptable that since February we have been spending most of the time in queues for beer instead of working on other things.
“We have salaries to pay, buildings to maintain and statutory payments to make, but that is no longer possible due to shortage of beer,” fumed Musango.
He added that at one time customers were complaining about the quality of beer and they are at risk of being beaten up by patrons hence Delta’s monopoly must be dismantled as a matter of urgency.
When contacted for a comment Kateedza said she does not speak to the media before quickly dropping the call.
The Midweek Watch also learnt that operators from as far as Harare were coming to get beer in Masvingo through connections at certain big wholesalers (names supplied).
