adminSenior Political Reporter
PEOPLE from Manicaland are calling on former Energy Deputy Minister Cde Munacho Mutezo to account for funds he allegedly looted from Zesa Holdings.
Cde Mutezo, who was relieved of his duty by President Mugabe on Tuesday allegedly coerced Zesa Holdings to deposit U$40 000 in the Manicaland Women’s League CBZ account 23916650018 on July 31 this year.
The money was meant to support former Vice President Dr Joice Mujuru’s bid to topple President Mugabe from power.
His wife Loveness was the then deputy chairlady of the league in Manicaland before being booted out through a vote-of-no-confidence alongside chairlady Cde Joyline Chipo Porusingazi and secretary for finance Cde Pedigree Matara.
US$45 733 was withdrawn from the account.
Zanu PF Central committee member and Makoni South legislator, Cde Mandi Chimene, said Cde Mutezo did not deserve a post both in Government and the party.
“He was a greenhorn who was fast-tracked and ended up landing demanding posts in the party and Government. He never merited such honour, and this is what you get when amateurs are assigned posts that demand integrity and self-discipline.
“We were shocked by his sudden rise in the party and Government. He was elevated at the behest of his handler (fired Presidential Affairs minister Cde Didymus Mutasa). We knew of his immaturity, hence our worries,” said Cde Chimene.
Zanu PF provincial executive member, Cde Joseph Mujati, said that the case in which Mutezo is accused of peddling misguided influence and corruption must be handled in accordance with proper legal procedures.
“We are calling for thorough investigations because there is a likelihood that he could have orchestrated one of the biggest frauds in the short time he assumed a government post by milking Zesa Holdings dry, all in the name of an unsavoury regime-change agenda.
“We need to, as a party and Government, demonstrate our abhorrence of corruption by getting to the bottom of such cases as well as spread the net to other parastatals which may have fallen prey through the same modus,” said Cde Mujati.
Mujati also called for the opening of investigations into all contracts awarded during Cde Mutezo and his then boss, Cde Dzikamai Mavhaire’s tenure.
He said Government would be setting a dangerous precedent if it turned a deaf or mute ear after being informed about allegations of such mega-corruption.
Former Energy Minister and United Movement for Democratic Change (UMDC) official, Mr Elton Mangoma, said Zesa cannot afford the luxury of bankrolling party projects given the burden on its shoulders.
“I do not know whether it is true or false, but if it is true, then such conduct is shameful. You do not use parastals as extensions of the party because they are tools of Government. It is a tip of the ice-berg and this rot could have spread to other parastatals, which warrants a thorough investigation.
“Zesa has a lot of debts, and it does not have capacity for such luxury. That money could have been put to good use because Zesa has a lot of problems. Appropriate measures must be taken. The law is very clear and should take its course if the allegations are proven true,” said Mr Mangoma.
Efforts to get a comment from Cde Mutezo were fruitless as his mobile phone went unanswered.
Our sister paper The Herald on Tuesday quoted him saying: “Mandipedza hazvina mhosva. That is what you wanted. I do not think it is fair to discuss the President’s letter with a journalist. You serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority and you don’t question his authority”.
Zesa chief executive officer Engineer Josh Chifamba confirmed the deposit yesterday, saying the directive “came from authorities”.
“It is true that there was a deposit of $40 000 on July 31 this year after a request from authorities had been made to that effect and account details were given to us,” he said while declining to name the person who made the request.
“We acted accordingly. That money was deposited when there was a fundraising dinner, I think.”
The dinner dance that was supposed to be graced by VP Mujuru in Manicaland for the provincial Women’s League failed to take off in June.
But sources at Zesa said it was Deputy Minister Mutezo’s practice to coerce parastatals under the ministry to “donate”.
Online Reporter