Dethroned Bulawayo model re-instated

TOURISM and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi has declared null and void the dethronement of beauty queen Miss Personality Lungile Mathe by the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA) last month.

The minister has, with immediate effect, appointed a new ZTA board "which is gender sensitive, with four women, that is expected to take a fresh look at the matter".

In a statement released on Friday, the minister said the dethronement of Mathe was done while he was away in the United States, adding that the sensational coverage of the issue in the Press and the subsequent public outcry had drawn his attention.

The minister said he was concerned that the matter would jeopardise efforts by his ministry and its parastatal (ZTA) to maintain a good public image, especially in the face of a newly launched Zimbabwe Tourism Brand.

Minister Mzembi revealed that he was confident that the matter regarding Mathe would be "resolved appropriately and to the model's satisfaction".
"The minister has decided to bring together the model and the ZTA management to take a fresh look at the matter, with the assistance of a select committee of the ZTA board.

"The minister has just appointed a new ZTA board which is gender sensitive, with four ladies on it. He, therefore, is confident that the matter regarding Ms Mathe will be resolved appropriately and to the model's satisfaction," read part of the statement.

When contacted for comment after a failed Press conference on Friday afternoon at the ministry's offices, the minister said the statement was self-explanatory and he needed not say more.

He said the ZTA management would tomorrow hold a meeting with Mathe with the assistance of a select committee of the ZTA board. He further said the ZTA does not operate independent of the Government and that he had been forced to intervene in the matter to save the image of the country.

"As the ultimate custodian of the integrity of all activities organised by the ZTA, the ministry is acutely aware of the need to be sensitive to the interests and rights of the girl child as the participant in ZTA-organised pageants.

"I am therefore concerned about what was apparently a public trial of a youth whom the community should respect and guide.
"I'm confident that the matter will be amicably resolved to the satisfaction of all stakeholders," he said.

ZTA chief executive officer Mr Karikoga Kaseke said the minister had spoken to him about the matter and explained that he was under pressure from some Politburo members and some powerful people from Matabeleland regarding the issue.

However, Mr Kaseke was quick to say that he would do whatever the minister wishes as he is the "ultimate authority in tourism".
Mr Kaseke further said he was sorry for the harsh words he used when he announced the dethronement of the model.

"I was a little bit harsh in my words when I announced Lungile's dethronement and I feel that I should apologise to her and to the nation.
"But I also have to hasten to say that we did nothing wrong when we dethroned the girl.

"She was not convincing enough when we questioned her about the matter and we did what we thought was right.
"We called her in and she refused to come in but after all this has been done I believe that we are going to reinstate her," said Mr Kaseke.

Efforts to talk to Mathe were fruitless but information at hand is that the model has already been contacted by the Ministry of Tourism and that she will be in the capital tomorrow for a formal hearing of the matter and possibly be reinstated.

If she is reinstated Mathe will get all her prizes, which ' according to Mr Kaseke ' include a courtesy vehicle.