News / National
Prove I'm corrupt says Chombo
13 Oct 2013 at 01:47hrs | Views
Local Government, Public Works and National Housing Minister Dr Ignatius Chombo says he has never engaged in corrupt activity, adding that those who accuse him of corruption should present the evidence.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail last week, Dr Chombo took a swipe at some elements within the MDC-T whom he accused of roping in media practitioners in their bid to tarnish his image.
"I am a successful commercial farmer thanks to the land reform programme and I survive on the sales I do on the farm.
"I will challenge anyone with evidence of corruption or any wrongdoing on my part to come forward. Kana chipikiri chemunhu handina kumbotora (I have never stolen from anyone, not even a nail)," he said.
"It is true that elements within MDC-T supported by the hostile foreign-funded media came up with these malicious, unfounded and politically motivated accusations against me. They did so to damage my reputation. However, all the allegations they paid reporters to publish were unfounded and could not be substantiated."
Dr Chombo also dismissed claims that he protects "corrupt" councillors who would have been fired by the MDC-T, pointing out that his mandate is to follow the Constitution.
"The MDC councillors who are illegally being accused of having voted for Zanu-PF cannot be dismissed from council for anything other than dishonesty involving council . . . the law is very clear," he said.
"Refusing to obey (Morgan) Tsvangirai's instructions that you must vote for so and so when you go into chamber is not an offence that calls for the firing of a mayor.
"The problem is they went to the Press to complain that I am not dismissing councillors whom they found guilty of corruption. I wrote to them asking them to tell me what it is exactly these councillors did.
"They did not even write a single letter to me up to today. I cannot act when I am not given information. They are good at talking in the Press. Let them show you the letters that they have written to us."
Turning to his duties as the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Dr Chombo disclosed that Government was forging ahead with the construction of a new Parliament in Mt Hampden.
On the provision of houses, the minister disclosed that officials from his office were in the midst of crafting a broad-based housing project in line with the Zanu-PF manifesto.
"We want to make sure that everyone who desires to have a home is afforded a chance to own one," he said.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail last week, Dr Chombo took a swipe at some elements within the MDC-T whom he accused of roping in media practitioners in their bid to tarnish his image.
"I am a successful commercial farmer thanks to the land reform programme and I survive on the sales I do on the farm.
"I will challenge anyone with evidence of corruption or any wrongdoing on my part to come forward. Kana chipikiri chemunhu handina kumbotora (I have never stolen from anyone, not even a nail)," he said.
"It is true that elements within MDC-T supported by the hostile foreign-funded media came up with these malicious, unfounded and politically motivated accusations against me. They did so to damage my reputation. However, all the allegations they paid reporters to publish were unfounded and could not be substantiated."
Dr Chombo also dismissed claims that he protects "corrupt" councillors who would have been fired by the MDC-T, pointing out that his mandate is to follow the Constitution.
"The MDC councillors who are illegally being accused of having voted for Zanu-PF cannot be dismissed from council for anything other than dishonesty involving council . . . the law is very clear," he said.
"Refusing to obey (Morgan) Tsvangirai's instructions that you must vote for so and so when you go into chamber is not an offence that calls for the firing of a mayor.
"The problem is they went to the Press to complain that I am not dismissing councillors whom they found guilty of corruption. I wrote to them asking them to tell me what it is exactly these councillors did.
"They did not even write a single letter to me up to today. I cannot act when I am not given information. They are good at talking in the Press. Let them show you the letters that they have written to us."
Turning to his duties as the Minister of Local Government, Public Works and National Housing, Dr Chombo disclosed that Government was forging ahead with the construction of a new Parliament in Mt Hampden.
On the provision of houses, the minister disclosed that officials from his office were in the midst of crafting a broad-based housing project in line with the Zanu-PF manifesto.
"We want to make sure that everyone who desires to have a home is afforded a chance to own one," he said.
Source - Sunday Mail
