By Dickson Bandera
HARARE — The Airports Company of Zimbabwe (ACZ) has reconstituted its board, bringing in a corporate finance specialist, a retired senior police officer and an engineer as the State-owned aviation company moves to strengthen governance and accelerate airport infrastructure development.
The new board took effect on August 21 following appointments by the Minister responsible for Transport and Infrastructural Development in consultation with the Office of the President.
Dr Heriet K. Mhondiwa, Retired Commissioner Clement Munoriarwa and Engineer Natalie C. Masvaire have been appointed to four-year terms, while Advocate Tichaona John Muhonde has been retained as board chairperson for a second four-year term.
The appointments come as Zimbabwe seeks to position its airports as modern gateways for tourism, trade and investment while improving the commercial and operational performance of its aviation infrastructure.
Mhondiwa brings extensive expertise in accounting, finance and business strategy. She holds professional accounting qualifications including CA(Z), ACA (ICAEW) and FCCA, as well as master’s and doctoral-level qualifications.
Her academic work has focused on strategies for profitable revenue growth in Zimbabwe’s commercial banking sector, experience that could prove significant as ACZ seeks to strengthen revenue generation and financial sustainability.
The appointment of Munoriarwa, a retired senior police officer, brings extensive security and command experience to the board.
Munoriarwa previously held senior positions within the Zimbabwe Republic Police, including responsibilities involving policing operations and multi-agency security coordination.
His experience comes at a time when airport security remains a critical component of the aviation industry, encompassing passenger and cargo screening, access control, emergency response and protection of critical infrastructure.
Masvaire brings engineering expertise to a board overseeing an infrastructure-intensive organisation.
ACZ’s mandate includes the development, construction, maintenance and upgrading of airports and related facilities, making technical oversight central to decisions on airport expansion, rehabilitation and modernisation.
Muhonde provides continuity at the top of the board after being reappointed chairperson.
A lawyer by profession, Muhonde has experience in corporate and commercial law and has also been involved in international aviation governance. He has represented Zimbabwe in ICAO processes, giving him exposure to the international regulatory framework governing civil aviation.
His continued leadership is expected to provide institutional continuity as the three new directors begin their first terms.
The appointments also come against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of State-owned enterprises and public-sector governance.
The new board will therefore face pressure to translate its diverse expertise into stronger financial accountability, infrastructure delivery and operational performance.
ACZ plays a strategic role in Zimbabwe’s aviation economy, with airports serving as gateways for international visitors, business travellers, cargo and tourism.
The company’s performance is consequently closely linked to Zimbabwe’s broader tourism and investment ambitions, particularly efforts to increase international connectivity and strengthen the country’s position as a regional tourism and aviation hub.
ACZ also expressed gratitude to outgoing directors Dr T.J. Mabvure, Ms T.J. Nhewede and Mrs R. Dihwa, whose final terms have ended.
