ZimCoke moves in to end Redcliff water woes

ZIMCOKE (Private) Limited has engaged the Redcliff Municipality to help end water supply problems facing the Midlands town.

This comes at a time when the municipality is facing erratic water supply as Kwekwe City Council sometimes switches off water for Redcliff, which is struggling to clear a $4 million debt.

The local authority is also in the process of constructing its own water reticulation plant to reduce dependence on Kwekwe for water supplies.

ZimCoke took over a Ziscosteel Coke plant which is set to be revitalised in a $133 million deal that is also expected to create more than 500 jobs.

Redcliff Town Clerk Mr Gilson Chakauya said although the deal was yet to be finalised, it will go a long way in solving acute water shortages in the area.

He could not be drawn into commenting further saying the deal was still on the table.

“We are still engaged in talks and I cannot pre-empt anything now,” said Mr Chakauya.

“But it is definitely a welcome development that will go a long way in easing water challenges in our area.”

In his speech during the ground breaking ceremony at Zimcoke plant last week, the company’s chief executive officer Mr Bill More said Redcliff was Zimcoke’s home and it should benefit from various project the company has lined up.

“We are already in discussion with the Municipality of Redcliff about collaborating on water supplies but the general increase in economic activity as hundreds of wage earners spend more, will also benefit the town,” he said.

He said besides the water deal, the local authority will also benefit in many other ways.

“Redcliff is Zimcoke’s home and the town will also benefit from the coke batteries rising from the ashes of Zisco,” said Mr More.