Obey Chimuka

Obey Chimuka
EducationMidlands State University
University of South Africa
University of Zimbabwe
OccupationsBusinessman, Entrepreneur
Known forCEO 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 and Director 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 and the acquisition of Lafarge Cement (now Khaya Cement). His business ventures have garnered both praise and criticism, particularly regarding government contracts and international sanctions.

Early life and education

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. 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.

Career

Fossil Group and business ventures

Chimuka is the CEO and a major shareholder of the Fossil Group, a conglomerate with interests in agrochemicals, agronomic advisory, contract mining, road construction, earthworks, building, structural works, and plant hire. His leadership has positioned Fossil Contracting as a key player in Zimbabwe’s infrastructure development. Notably, Fossil Contracting, under the TEFOMA consortium, 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. The project has been praised for its ambition but criticized for issues such as inadequate signage and connectivity.

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.

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.

Association with Kudakwashe Tagwirei

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. 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.

Controversies and sanctions

U.S. sanctions

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 and 13818 for their ties to Kudakwashe Tagwirei and alleged involvement in corruption. The sanctions cited Chimuka’s role in facilitating corrupt transactions through government contracts, impacting his mining ambitions, particularly in platinum extraction.

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. Chimuka’s legal team has reportedly considered lawsuits against detractors for defamation and cyberbullying.

Trabablas Interchange criticism

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. Critics have questioned the transparency of the tender process due to Chimuka’s political connections and the lack of public bidding.

Alleged clash with vice president's son

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.

Personal life

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

Legacy and impact

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. Critics, however, highlight his ties to sanctioned individuals and political figures, raising concerns about transparency and fairness in Zimbabwe’s economic system. 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.

References

  1. ↑ "Fossil mines wins race to take over Lafarge cement". Mining Zimbabwe. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "US sanctions hamper Obey Chimuka's mining ambitions". Africa Intelligence. 2022-12-23. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  3. ↑ "Minister clarifies US$88m Mbudzi Interchange costs". The Herald. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  4. ↑ "Lafarge Cement Zimbabwe becomes Khayah Cement". Global Cement. 2023-10-27. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  5. ↑ "Obey Chimuka: Positions, Relations and Network". Marketscreener.com. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  6. 1 2 "Obey Chimuka Archives". Nehandaradio.com. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Face To Face With Trabablas Interchange Engineer Obey Chimuka". Zimeye.net. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  8. 1 2 "Obey Chimuka". Bindura Nickel Corporation. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  9. ↑ "Tagwirei ally's Fossil group hits the jackpot with public contracts". Africa Intelligence. 2021-12-01. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  10. ↑ "Fossil Contracting". CIFoz. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  11. ↑ "Trabablas immortalised". MSN. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  12. 1 2 "Kicking a bullfrog across the Grand Canyon". The Herald. 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  13. ↑ "BNC Annual Report 2020" (PDF). Zimbabwe Stock Exchange. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  14. ↑ "Companies linked to Zim president's controversial adviser Kuda Tagwirei score from multimillion-dollar divestments". Daily Maverick. 2022-06-19. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  15. 1 2 3 "Treasury Sanctions Zimbabwe's President and Key Actors". U.S. Department of the Treasury. 2022-12-12. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  16. 1 2 3 "Obey Chimuka suffers social media injustice over US sanctions". Mbare Times. 2023. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  17. ↑ "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.
  18. ↑ "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.
  19. ↑ "Obey Chimuka". Opensanctions.org. Retrieved 6 June 2025.
  20. ↑ "Zimbabweans Have More Honor Among Strangers Than Among Their Own". Zimbabwe Anti-Sanctions Movement. Retrieved 6 June 2025.