adminMpofu over claims that he demanded a US$10 million bribe from a diamond mining firm to facilitate a mining deal.
Committee chairman, Cde Edward Chindori Chininga, yesterday said he was not aware of the letter allegedly written to Parliament by Lovemore Kurotwi, a director with Core Mining, claiming Minister Mpofu demanded a bribe to grant his firm concessions in Chiadzwa diamond fields.
Core Mining had partnered Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation to form Canadile before the joint venture collapsed on allegations the former misrepresented to the State that it had money to exploit diamonds in Marange when infact it was bankrupt.
Some media reports had suggested that Minister Mpofu was likely to face a Parliamentary probe on fraud allegations raised by Kurotwi.
“We just read it in the newspapers.
“I think this is a case where people are trying to use the parliamentary committees to achieve personal agendas,” said Cde Chindori-Chininga in an interview yesterday.
“Even if he is to be charged with fraud, the committee cannot probe a member of a House of Assembly as this will be a case of conflict of interest.
“The only business that we have on issues to do with diamonds is a visit to Chiadzwa and not all this speculation on probing Minister Mpofu.”
Clerk of Parliament Mr Austin Zvoma confirmed receiving the letter but questioned the motive of sending it to the parliamentary committee.
“Crimes are not reported to the committee but to the law enforcement agents,” said Mr Zvoma.
“When we received the letter, we advised them that they had approached the wrong forum.”
Minister Mpofu could not be reached for comment by the time of going to print yesterday.
Online Reporter