BAT denies involvement in selecting tobacco award winner


By Tererai Karimakwenda
05 August 2005

This week we reported how Monica Chinamasa, wife of the Justice Minister Patrick Chinamasa, accepted an award as the BAT Tobacco Grower of the Year last Friday night even though she stole the farm now known as Tsukumai in Headlands.We contacted the Harare headquarters of BAT to find out why this multi-national corporation would give Mrs Chinamasa a reward for stealing and ruining the life of a farmer whose output was so vital to the country. Simukayi Mujanganja, the press officer for BAT Zimbabwe, said he had to consult other officials about our enquiry. We were not able to speak to him directly after that. He was in meetings all week and then we were informed he had gone on leave on Thursday.David Betteridge, who handles press for BAT in London, said they support the award financially and also pay for the presentation night, but he said they have no input in the selection of the winner. This was all that Betteridge would say when questions were put to him.The whole issue of the responsibilities of multinational companies operating in Zimbabwe needs to be looked at more seriously. The United States took a very important step this week by freezing the assets belonging to certain farms in Zimbabwe. This might force others to take responsibility for their actions.It is important to let companies know what you think about their behaviour in Zimbabwe and ensure that all companies follow ethical procedures in their business dealings. If it concerns you that a global organisation is prepared to condone theft of land please phone BAT's managing director in Harare, Paul Adams on (263-4) 754741/754730. Or call BAT managing director in London, Gary Fagan on (44) (0) 207-845-1000.
We've not been able to get hold of any email details for BAT London or Zimbabwe but we do have for BAT South Africa. What you need to do is go to their website which is www.batsa.com and then open Contact us - you'll find a form that you can fill out and email directly to BAT South Africa.