Five senior Zanu-PF officials under probe over diamond looting

Zanu-PF is investigating five senior members from Manicaland Province on allegations of fraud and corruption involving more than US$700 000 they allegedly collected from diamond mining companies at Chiadzwa on the pretext it was meant for party activities.

The party's National Chairman and Secretary for Administration, Simon Khaya Moyo and Didymus Mutasa, confirmed the investigation in separate telephone interviews yesterday.

The five, provincial chairman - Mike Madiro, ousted youth provincial chairman Tawanda Mukodza, youth provincial secretary for administration Mubuso Chinguno, youth provincial secretary for security Admire Mahachi and former Mutare Urban DCC chairman Mparutsa - have since appeared before a provincial disciplinary committee chaired by the provincial vice-chairperson, Dorothy Mabika.

In her letter to each of the five, dated January 11, 2013, Mabika wrote: "You are hereby invited to appear before the provincial disciplinary committee. You are required to answer allegations on acts of fraud and corruption attributed to you. Please report to the Zanu PF provincial offices at 10:00 hours on the 12th of January."

When contacted for comment, Mabika said: "I am not allowed to comment on party issues, you can contact the national spokesperson, Rugare Gumbo. Thank you."

However, Khaya Moyo, who is the national disciplinary committee chairman, said: "Yes, investigations are in progress and we are waiting for the report from the investigating team set up in Manicaland to probe the allegations. I am on leave, but we are expecting them to submit their report before the end of the week."

Mutasa said: "Investigations are in progress and Mabika is chairing that committee. The said members are alleged to have gone to mining companies at Chiadzwa asking for donations for different party activities.

"The investigations were commenced following the ouster of Mukodza as the provincial youth chairman where some youth members felt that there were underhand activities that were happening at Chiadzwa which needed investigations. That is when it emerged that there was a need to cast our net wide and investigate all those named in the initial reports availed to us.

"Once the investigation team completes its investigation they will come up with a report that is expected to be tabled at our next Politburo meeting next Wednesday. The matter will be on our next Politburo meeting agenda," he said.

Madiro said he had no comment over the issue.
"I have no comment, I will only comment on issues that will add value to Zanu-PF," said Madiro.
Sources said the five allegedly went to diamond mining companies last year where they misrepresented to them that they wanted money for various party activities, but the money never reached its intended beneficiaries.

One of the companies (name supplied) is alleged to have released US$300 000 while an unnamed company is alleged to have given US$450 000.