Obey Chimuka
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Obey Chimuka | |
|---|---|
| Education | Midlands State University University of South Africa University of Zimbabwe |
| Occupations | Businessman, Entrepreneur |
| Known for | CEO of Fossil Contracting and Fossil Mines Pvt Ltd., Mbudzi Interchange, Lafarge Cement acquisition |
Obey Chimuka is a Zimbabwean businessman and entrepreneur known for his contributions to the construction and mining sectors. As Group Chief Executive Officer[1] and Director[2] of Fossil Contracting and Fossil Mines Pvt Ltd., he has significantly influenced Zimbabwe's infrastructure development and resource extraction industries. Chimuka has been involved in major projects, including the Mbudzi Interchange[3] and the acquisition[4] of Lafarge Cement (now Khaya Cement). His business ventures have garnered both praise and criticism, particularly regarding government contracts and international sanctions.[5][6]
Early life and education
[edit]Obey Chimuka was born in Zimbabwe and is a nephew of the late Zimbabwean freedom fighter Jonah Chimuka, known as Madhara Chihombe during the Rhodesian Bush War.[7] He earned a Master of Business Administration from Midlands State University, a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing and Economics from the University of South Africa, and an Honours degree in Politics and Administration from the University of Zimbabwe.[8]
Career
[edit]Fossil Group and business ventures
[edit]Chimuka is the CEO[9] and a major shareholder of the Fossil Group,[10] a conglomerate with interests in agrochemicals, agronomic advisory, contract mining, road construction, earthworks, building, structural works, and plant hire.[8] His leadership has positioned Fossil Contracting as a key player in Zimbabwe’s infrastructure development. Notably, Fossil Contracting, under the TEFOMA consortium,[11] was awarded an $88 million contract to construct the Mbudzi Interchange, a major project aimed at improving traffic flow in Harare, expected to be completed by July 2025.[12] The project has been praised for its ambition but criticized for issues such as inadequate signage and connectivity.[7]
In 2021, Fossil Contracting, led by Chimuka, acquired Lafarge Cement, rebranding it as Khaya Cement, strengthening his influence in Zimbabwe’s cement industry in line with government efforts to reduce cement imports.[2]
Chimuka served as a Non-Independent Non-Executive Director at Bindura Nickel Corporation Ltd. from November 2019 to 2022, contributing to its human resources, remuneration, safety, health, environment, quality, and corporate social responsibility committees.[13]
Association with Kudakwashe Tagwirei
[edit]Chimuka is a longtime business partner of Kudakwashe Regimond Tagwirei, founder of Sakunda Holdings. Their collaboration includes major government contracts, such as the Trabablas Interchange and the Beitbridge-Harare road rehabilitation project.[14] Tagwirei has praised Chimuka’s role in advancing Zimbabwe’s infrastructure but emphasized that Chimuka’s 2022 U.S. sanctions under Executive Orders 13469 and 13818 stem from a perceived connection to himself and allegations of corruption, which he claims unfairly target indigenous Zimbabwean businesses.[15][16]
Controversies and sanctions
[edit]U.S. sanctions
[edit]In December 2022, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Chimuka, Fossil Agro, and Fossil Contracting under Executive Orders 13469[17] and 13818[18] for their ties to Kudakwashe Tagwirei and alleged involvement in corruption.[15][19] The sanctions cited Chimuka’s role in facilitating corrupt transactions through government contracts, impacting his mining ambitions, particularly in platinum extraction.[2]
Some Zimbabwean media, such as Mbare Times, have claimed that Chimuka faced "social media injustice" due to the sanctions, arguing they target indigenous businesses to favor foreign companies.[16] Chimuka’s legal team has reportedly considered lawsuits against detractors for defamation and cyberbullying.[16]
Trabablas Interchange criticism
[edit]The $88 million Trabablas Interchange project has faced public criticism for failing to meet expectations, including incomplete road markings and inadequate signage, particularly for routes to Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport.[7] Critics have questioned the transparency of the tender process due to Chimuka’s political connections and the lack of public bidding.[12]
Alleged clash with vice president's son
[edit]Chimuka has been linked to a reported dispute with the son of Zimbabwe’s Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, who was employed at Fossil Contracting under controversial circumstances, adding to Chimuka’s public scrutiny.[6]
Personal life
[edit]Little is publicly known about Chimuka’s personal life. His familial tie to Jonah Chimuka, a respected figure in Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle, underscores his connection to the country’s historical and political landscape. His networth remains undisclosed as of March 2026[7]
Legacy and impact
[edit]Obey Chimuka is a polarizing figure in Zimbabwe’s business community. Supporters view him as a successful indigenous entrepreneur driving national development through infrastructure and industrial projects.[20] Critics, however, highlight his ties to sanctioned individuals and political figures, raising concerns about transparency and fairness in Zimbabwe’s economic system.[15] His role in major projects like the Mbudzi Interchange and the cement industry has solidified his influence, though sanctions and public debates continue to shape his reputation.[2]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Fossil mines wins race to take over Lafarge cement". Mining Zimbabwe. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 "US sanctions hamper Obey Chimuka's mining ambitions". Africa Intelligence. 2022-12-23. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ "Minister clarifies US$88m Mbudzi Interchange costs". The Herald. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ "Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe becomes Khayah Cement". Global Cement. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ "Obey Chimuka: Positions, Relations and Network". Marketscreener.com. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- 1 2 "Obey Chimuka Archives". Nehandaradio.com. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 "Face To Face With Trabablas Interchange Engineer Obey Chimuka". Zimeye.net. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- 1 2 "Obey Chimuka". Bindura Nickel Corporation. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ "Tagwirei ally's Fossil group hits the jackpot with public contracts". Africa Intelligence. 2021-12-01. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ "Fossil Contracting". CIFoz. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ "Trabablas immortalised". MSN. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- 1 2 "Kicking a bullfrog across the Grand Canyon". The Herald. 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ "BNC Annual Report 2020" (PDF). Zimbabwe Stock Exchange. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ "Companies linked to Zim president's controversial adviser Kuda Tagwirei score from multimillion-dollar divestments". Daily Maverick. 2022-06-19. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Treasury Sanctions Zimbabwe's President and Key Actors". U.S. Department of the Treasury. 2022-12-12. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Obey Chimuka suffers social media injustice over US sanctions". Mbare Times. 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ "Executive Order 13469: Blocking Property of Additional Persons Undermining Democratic Processes or Institutions in Zimbabwe" (PDF). U.S. Department of the Treasury. 2008-07-25. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ "Executive Order 13818: Blocking the Property of Persons Involved in Serious Human Rights Abuses or Corruption". The American Presidency Project. 2017-12-20. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ "Obey Chimuka". Opensanctions.org. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
- ↑ "Zimbabweans Have More Honor Among Strangers Than Among Their Own". Zimbabwe Anti-Sanctions Movement. Retrieved 6 June 2025.