Roy Bhila Biography | Background, Age, Wife, Career, Political Career, Cottco Tender Controversy
This is the biography of Roy Bhila, a Zimbabwean politician and a member of the Zanu-PF party. He has served as the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce.
Background
Roy Bhila was born in Chipinge.
Age
Roy Bhila was born on February 25, 1980.
Wife
Roy Bhila is married, but details about his wife remain undisclosed.
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Career
Bhila previously held the position of secretary-general of the Commercial Sugarcane Farmers Association (CFAZ). In 2017, he faced allegations of unilaterally dismissing the administrator to gain complete control over the association. Additionally, Bhila was accused of receiving unsustainable daily allowances. Bhila defended himself, asserting that his actions were legitimate, and he was entitled to a daily fuel allowance for his work. The association’s request for a ministerial team to review their finances was declined.
Political Career
In 2018, Bhila was elected as the Chiredzi North Member of Parliament under the ZANU PF ticket. He retained the seat in the August 23, 2023 Harmonised Elections, defeating Citizens’ Coalition for Change (CCC) candidate Fungai Chamisa.
In September 2023, President Emmerson Mnangagwa appointed Bhila as the Deputy Minister of Industry and Commerce. However, Bhila was fired on November 30, 2023, and the specific reasons for his removal were not publicly disclosed.
Interference in Cottco Tender
In May 2021, an audio recording surfaced featuring Bhila instructing Cottco to retract a tender for a 31-seater bus awarded to Sasavona Logistics. This company is owned by John Manganye, an unsuccessful MDC Alliance candidate in the 2018 elections. Bhila’s directive followed a donation offer by Manganye to Chiredzi Polyclinic, which had been rejected by Zanu PF candidate Farai Musikavanhu.
During the leaked conversation with Cottco’s business manager, Innocent Gukwe, Bhila insisted on withdrawing the tender, citing the political affiliation of the company owner. Gukwe explained Cottco’s non-discriminatory tender awarding process, but under pressure, he eventually withdrew the tender as instructed by Bhila.
