Schweppes to revive Joshua Nkomo canning plant

SCHWEPPES Zimbabwe plans to embark on  a multi-million dollar tomato canning plant at Arda Balu Estate in Umguza district.

The  plant has been lying idle since the early 1980's and the  equipment for the plant was sourced by the late vice-president Joshua Nkomo.  

Schweppes Zimbabwe  is now in talks Arda and the deal could be wrapped up by July,  Managing director Charles Msipa  said.

"We are in preliminary talks with Arda and if all goes well, we expect to have concluded discussions in July.

"We are still to carry out evaluations and feasibility studies and it is premature to say much at this point."

Vice-President Phelekezela Mphoko toured the plant earlier this year and fumed at the Arda board for letting the equipment lie idle.

"Why do we have a board that gets paid for absolutely doing nothing when there is no production at this place?

"These people clearly should not be here, they need to also explain clearly why after such a long time the equipment is lying idle and yet they are supposed to be the leaders," he said during the tour of the plant.

Machinery that is still to be used after 30 years includes electric motors, storage tanks, piping material, steamers, mixers and various farming implements like tractors, harvesters and sorting machines.