Business / Companies
Baker's Inn accused of staging fake donation to visually impaired entrepreneur
13 May 2025 at 14:01hrs | Views
Baker's Inn officials handing the scooter to Jemwa in Brown jacket and blue shirt some time in 2023.
BAKER'S INN, a bread manufacturing company under Innscor Limited, has been accused of making a fake donation of a scooter bike and a container to partially visually impaired entrepreneur John Jemwa. The assets reportedly remained registered under the company's name, and the company is now allegedly reclaiming the container.
The company had publicly donated a scooter bike and a container to Jemwa in April 2023 as part of an empowerment initiative aimed at changing society's negative perception of people with disabilities.
The donation ceremony was covered by public media and witnessed by members of the public, with photographs taken to document the event.
Jemwa, who is semi-blind, has been running a small tuck shop in Nguboyenja, where he initially sold just ten loaves of bread a day.
Reports state that he approached Baker's Inn expressing interest in increasing his sales, after which the company provided him with marketing materials. This reportedly led to a substantial business improvement, with daily bread sales increasing from 10 to over 100 loaves.
However, this week, Jemwa raised concerns in writing about the nature of the donation.
"I write to you with a very painful heart. Baker's Inn Zimbabwe made a fake donation to me, which they publicized in mainstream media and even made a documentary about," he said.
"The scooter they claim to have donated is still registered in their company's name. The container they gave me as an empowerment tool is now being charged at $115.00 in monthly rent. As a person with a disability, I feel I was used. There is no documentation proving the donation, and Baker's Inn claims no such document was ever issued. This makes the donation fake. Additionally, management has refused to pay the promised commission of 5 cents per loaf sold, citing the lack of a donation agreement."
Jemwa accused Baker's Inn of exploiting him for public relations purposes, claiming the company was aware that the act was not a true donation but a marketing campaign using him to gain clientele.
He expressed disappointment that a large corporation would take advantage of a person with a disability for its own benefit, while he, the supposed beneficiary, has seen no lasting benefit from the initiative.
Jemwa urged the company to act with integrity and stop exploiting vulnerable people for corporate gain.
During the handover event in 2023, Bakers Inn Southern Region Sales Manager Athanas Mutakaya stated they were committed to empowering the communities they operate in.
"In empowering the community, we identified a partially blind young man who had been selling bread from a small tuck shop. To help him sell more, we provided a container to increase his visibility and allow him to expand his offerings. Recognizing his hard work, we also decided to give him a scooter bike for door-to-door deliveries," Mutakaya said.
He added that the company hoped the project would help Jemwa achieve his dreams and become a success story, and that they were looking for more people to empower in the same manner.
At the time, Jemwa expressed gratitude for the donation.
"As a person with a disability, it is my wish to serve the community and leave my clients smiling. I'm very impressed with Bakers Inn's support, as well as the support I've received from community leaders, including the councillor and residents."
"I trust the community will continue supporting our vision of service. I also encourage other corporates to follow Bakers Inn's example and support initiatives that uplift people with disabilities."
"I never imagined that selling bread could bring me this far. Many people with disabilities are ignored in corporate spaces, but Bakers Inn showed something extraordinary. I even found myself wondering what was so different about this company," he said.
In a letter to Jemwa dated December 5, 2022, Baker's Inn Sales and Distribution Manager Keymond Dube informed him of a new partnership opportunity.
"We are pleased to notify you that you have been awarded a lifetime opportunity to become our partner in the distribution of our products. We were deeply moved by your interview on the ‘Proudly Able Reality Show' aired on ZBC TV on August 29, 2022," the letter read.
"This gesture is our way of supporting inclusion in all our programs and promoting self-reliance."
Dube added that the company recognized Jemwa's potential beyond his visual impairment.
"The Express Shop is disability-friendly, air-conditioned, and provides a hygienic environment for food sales."
"Baker's Inn believes in inclusive business practices and in changing the lives of the underprivileged in the communities it serves. We wish you all the best in your endeavors."
The company had publicly donated a scooter bike and a container to Jemwa in April 2023 as part of an empowerment initiative aimed at changing society's negative perception of people with disabilities.
The donation ceremony was covered by public media and witnessed by members of the public, with photographs taken to document the event.
Jemwa, who is semi-blind, has been running a small tuck shop in Nguboyenja, where he initially sold just ten loaves of bread a day.
Reports state that he approached Baker's Inn expressing interest in increasing his sales, after which the company provided him with marketing materials. This reportedly led to a substantial business improvement, with daily bread sales increasing from 10 to over 100 loaves.
However, this week, Jemwa raised concerns in writing about the nature of the donation.
"I write to you with a very painful heart. Baker's Inn Zimbabwe made a fake donation to me, which they publicized in mainstream media and even made a documentary about," he said.
"The scooter they claim to have donated is still registered in their company's name. The container they gave me as an empowerment tool is now being charged at $115.00 in monthly rent. As a person with a disability, I feel I was used. There is no documentation proving the donation, and Baker's Inn claims no such document was ever issued. This makes the donation fake. Additionally, management has refused to pay the promised commission of 5 cents per loaf sold, citing the lack of a donation agreement."
Jemwa accused Baker's Inn of exploiting him for public relations purposes, claiming the company was aware that the act was not a true donation but a marketing campaign using him to gain clientele.
He expressed disappointment that a large corporation would take advantage of a person with a disability for its own benefit, while he, the supposed beneficiary, has seen no lasting benefit from the initiative.
Jemwa urged the company to act with integrity and stop exploiting vulnerable people for corporate gain.
"In empowering the community, we identified a partially blind young man who had been selling bread from a small tuck shop. To help him sell more, we provided a container to increase his visibility and allow him to expand his offerings. Recognizing his hard work, we also decided to give him a scooter bike for door-to-door deliveries," Mutakaya said.
He added that the company hoped the project would help Jemwa achieve his dreams and become a success story, and that they were looking for more people to empower in the same manner.
At the time, Jemwa expressed gratitude for the donation.
"As a person with a disability, it is my wish to serve the community and leave my clients smiling. I'm very impressed with Bakers Inn's support, as well as the support I've received from community leaders, including the councillor and residents."
"I trust the community will continue supporting our vision of service. I also encourage other corporates to follow Bakers Inn's example and support initiatives that uplift people with disabilities."
"I never imagined that selling bread could bring me this far. Many people with disabilities are ignored in corporate spaces, but Bakers Inn showed something extraordinary. I even found myself wondering what was so different about this company," he said.
In a letter to Jemwa dated December 5, 2022, Baker's Inn Sales and Distribution Manager Keymond Dube informed him of a new partnership opportunity.
"We are pleased to notify you that you have been awarded a lifetime opportunity to become our partner in the distribution of our products. We were deeply moved by your interview on the ‘Proudly Able Reality Show' aired on ZBC TV on August 29, 2022," the letter read.
"This gesture is our way of supporting inclusion in all our programs and promoting self-reliance."
Dube added that the company recognized Jemwa's potential beyond his visual impairment.
"The Express Shop is disability-friendly, air-conditioned, and provides a hygienic environment for food sales."
"Baker's Inn believes in inclusive business practices and in changing the lives of the underprivileged in the communities it serves. We wish you all the best in your endeavors."
Source - Byo24News
