Cheetah Cement pumps P700m into Matsiloje plant expansion
Friday, August 19, 2022 | 1380 Views |
Eyeing growth: Dignitaries touring the Cheetah Cement plant earlier this week PIC: LESEDI MKHUTSHWA
The plant closed in January 2018 due to competition from South African imports with 150 people losing their jobs. For years before its closure, Matsiloje Portland Cement had recorded a string of losses.
The plant was bought by Namibian firm, Whale Rock Cement, which in turn owns Cheetah Cement Botswana.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...