Gono is a thief who stole public and private funds says Kereke

The former advisor to Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) governor Gideon Gono, Munyaradzi Kereke, yesterday accused his ex-boss of abusing office for personal gain and labelled him "a thief" who stole public funds.

Kereke, who claimed his life was in danger, also alleged Gono withdrew $100 000 from his firm Rockfoundation Medical Centre's account without his knowledge and consent.

Strenuous efforts to get a comment from Gono last night were fruitless, as his mobile phone went unanswered. His aides had said they would respond to the allegations, but when NewsDay later called no one was answering.

However, NewsDay said it will publish his response to Kereke's allegations if he does so.

RBZ lawyer Tawanda Chitapi last night said: "How would I know his response? Such a matter needs you to get hold of the governor. You can send him a message and he will respond."

According to Kereke, the money was withdrawn by Dhobhadhobha Construction Company, which he claims was a front for Gono.

Kereke left RBZ unceremoniously early this year following his fallout with Gono, and has repeatedly accused his former boss of graft.

"Gideon Gono, Governor of the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe, is a thief who stole public funds and private company funds for his own personal gain," Kereke told journalists at a Press conference in Harare yesterday.

"Evidence is there to prove this. Please I want to clearly state here that there are attempts by Gono to scare me, by him moving around sending very senior members in government holding ministerial posts saying ‘Kereke, Gono says don't pursue this matter because you will be exposing senior people in government who benefited from him'.

"He must know that what I am talking about here has absolutely nothing to do with government. It has nothing to do with any minister. It has nothing to do with any members of the security forces and it has nothing to do with any of our leaders. I am talking about the facts of theft that Gono committed to benefit his own business interests, including the chicken project he now flaunts as a clean project."

Kereke vowed to keep fighting until Gono has been brought to book.

He also accused officials at the Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission of being used to intimidate him.

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