Sandi-Moyo, Mahoka ordered to 'pay back the money'

The Zanu-PF Politburo yesterday ordered Women's League deputy secretary Nomthandazo Eunice Moyo and secretary for finance Sarah Mahoka to return the money they extorted from businesspeople, corporates and local prophets in the name of the First Lady, Dr Grace Mugabe and the organ.

While discussing the two's fate during its meeting yesterday, the Politburo heard that Cdes Moyo and Mahoka had rushed to resign from their positions in the Women's League, perhaps to save face by avoiding an imminent sacking.

The fate of national political commissar Saviour Kasukuwere  accused of angling to topple President Mugabe by creating parallel structures  will also be known once his home province, Mashonaland Central, brings a report to the Politburo.

Zanu-PF secretary for information and publicity Simon Khaya Moyo said the Politburo accepted Moyo and Mahoka's resignations after Dr Mugabe (Women's League secretary) presented a comprehensive report on their case.

He said the pair's resignations were clear testimony that they were guilty. "A litany of misconduct, errant and criminal behaviour were levelled against Sandi Moyo," said Simon Khaya Moyo. "Her insubordination and abuse of the league's funds were alarming.

"The Women's League leadership had met twice to discuss their misdemeanours and recommended that both be relieved of their duties in the Women's League hence the matter was  brought to the Politburo.

"During the deliberations, the Politburo was informed that both Sandi Moyo and Mahoka, who were facing similar allegations, had handed in their letters of resignation as members of the Women's League executive."

Khaya Moyo added: "As per the Women's League recommendation on the two and their subsequent resignation, the Politburo accepted the same.

Their resignation is clear testimony that they committed the offence.

"They further have to pay back the funds they abused to the Women's League. Sandi Moyo was a Politburo member by virtue of being deputy secretary of the Women's League and if you are no longer in that post you cease to be a Politburo member."

Sandi Moyo and Mahoka faced allegations of undermining the authority of Dr Mugabe, with the latter facing a further charge of denigrating Vice President Emmerson Mnangagwa and Presidential spokesperson, Mr George Charamba.

Mahoka made headlines last year during a rally at Zanu-PF headquarters where she likened Zanu-PF Second Secretary and VP Mnangagwa to a duck for his silence in the Zanu-PF succession matrix.

Apart from this "untoward behaviour", the two comrades were accused of embezzling funds sourced from local prophets, businesspeople and corporates using Amai Mugabe's name and without her knowledge.

Sandi Moyo and Mahoka received $20 000 from Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development Minister Professor Jonathan Moyo and shared the loot.

They also took another $100 000 from a local prophet and shared it.

Before their resignations, Sandi Moyo and Mahoka had seen a wave of demonstrations being held against them in all the provinces.

Asked on the position on Kasukuwere, who has also seen demonstrations being held against him, Khaya Moyo said the matter would be discussed if presented to the Politburo.

The Mashonaland Central Provincial Coordinating Committee (PCC) met in Bindura yesterday and endorsed the expulsion of Kasukuwere and his brother Dickson Mafios.

Mafios is the acting chairperson for Mashonaland Central.

Said Khaya Moyo: "We shall hear about it once it (the report on the case) is submitted. I don't know about it (the report), secretary for administration (Ignatius Chombo) might have received it.

"If he has it, it will be discussed at the appropriate time, I don't know whether it is today or some time. Matters are discussed here first. We don't take action and then discuss."

Thousands of demonstrators on Monday accused Kasukuwere and Mafios of angling to topple President Mugabe, corruption and fanning factionalism among other charges.

Khaya Moyo urged party members to heed President Mugabe's call on following party procedures.

"If you follow procedure, we have got the cell, branch, district and province, up to the top, it shall eventually come to the Politburo," he said. "I wish to remind party members across the country, as the President stated on Monday at State House, that we should take our grievances to the properly laid structures of the party and not go to the press. We have got party procedures which must be followed such that if followed the grievances will be properly addressed as done today. We must avoid taking matters into our own hands and forget that procedures exist. I hope this will be understood by all and sundry so that as a disciplined revolutionary party, we cannot be seen to be working against the Constitution. This is not to muzzle anyone, but encourage everyone to use party procedures. The Women's League after being approached and satisfied with issues raised against the two comrades (Cdes Sandi Moyo and Mahoka) took a position, took a recommendation, brought it and it was extensively discussed and agreed upon."

On national development issues, Khaya Moyo said secretary for legal affairs and Finance and Economic Development Patrick Chinamasa briefed the Politburo on the Presidential Input Scheme for 2017-18 agricultural season.

He said the programme would benefit 1,8 million households, with maize and small grain seeds being distributed.

Khaya Moyo said the Brazilian More Food For Africa Programme was also explained to the Politburo, together with Command Agriculture and the Presidential Input Scheme on cotton.

"A total of 2 500 hectares of land under citrus, sugar beans, tomatoes and ground nuts are targeted for irrigation," Khaya Moyo said. "This is the first time that horticultural production will be systematically organised for small holder farmers."

The Politburo was also briefed on the preparations for the 2017 Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), as well as President Mugabe's recent visits to Swaziland and Mauritius.