66-Year-Old Machengete To Continue Leading POTRAZ

The POTRAZ Board Chairman, Dr. Zvobgo Zvobgo, has confirmed that Dr. Gift Kalisto Machengete, the current Director General of the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), has exceeded the legal retirement age of 65 years as stipulated under the Corporate Governance Act. Despite this, Dr. Zvobgo stated that Dr. Machengete remains fit to continue running the organization and will serve until the end of his current term in 2026.

Dr. Machengete, who turned 65 in July 2024, is now serving his second five-year term, which will conclude on 30th November 2026

By Toneo

Whereas  section 197 of the Constitution permits an Act of Parliament to limit the terms of office of chief executive officers or heads of government-controlled entities and public enterprises.

Section 11 of the Corporate Governance Unit only speaks to the appointment of boards of public entities
” No person shall be appointed as a member of the board of a public entity for a term longer than four years, and the appointment may be renewed for only one further such term”

Dr. Zvobgo said  that Dr. Machengete’s continued tenure is not a 4 year term but 5, hence total 10 years and this was  approved during the renewal of his first term, with endorsements from the President of Zimbabwe and the line Minister of ICT, Postal, and Courier Services.

“Dr. Machengete’s current stay in office is compliant with corporate governance requirements,” said Dr. Zvobgo. “I can confirm that the then Permanent Secretary of the Corporate Governance Unit, Mr. W. L. Manungo, acknowledged the renewal of Dr. Machengete’s contract, which now runs from 1st December 2021 to 30th November 2026.”

He added that the legal framework allows the Director General to continue his employment beyond the standard retirement age, provided there is approval from the POTRAZ Shareholder, represented by the line Minister.

The public service commission Act states that members who join after the age of 50 shall continue on annual renewable service  contracts until they reach the age of 65 years.

Potraz Chairman however stated that

“On 27 July 2021, the then POTRAZ Board of Directors passed a resolution to renew his contract for a second five year term, running from 1^st December 2021 to 30 November 2026. However, the Board was alive to the fact that the second term of his contract would elapse after he would have turned 65 years in July 2024. For this reason, authority was specifically sought through the then line Minister, Hon. Dr. J. Muswere, to permit the contract to run up to 30^th November 2026, beyond the DG’s normal retirement age

Dr. Zvobgo emphasized that the necessary approvals were obtained, stating:

“Given that approval was granted by both the President of Zimbabwe and the line Minister, there is full Shareholder endorsement of Dr. Machengete’s current contract. All relevant parties—the President, the Minister of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, the Corporate Governance Unit, and the POTRAZ Board—are fully aware of this arrangement.”

Chapter 17 of the CGU states that the  Appointment of chief executive officers of public entities can stretch

”  for a term longer than five years, which term may be renewed for only one further such term;  “

. The POTRAZ Board expressed confidence in his leadership, citing his competence and sound judgment in fulfilling the regulatory authority’s mandate.