News / National
Tsvangirai received cars from Gono associates: Wikileaks
04 Sep 2011 at 17:17hrs | Views
Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai allegedly received two cars from two unnamed individuals associated with Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Gideon Gono. According to a US embassy cable released on Friday by Wikileaks MDC-T treasurer general Roy Bennett told American ambassador Charles Ray at a meeting last year that the two Gono associates also intended to purchase a $1 million mansion for Tsvangirai in Harare.
Tsvangirai is reportedly under investigation over the purchase of the house with allegations that he pocketed $1,5 million he received from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
Bennett allegedly said he urged Tsvangirai to turn down the offers. "He was aware of reports that Tsvangirai was buying a $1 million house in Harare," reads part of the cable.
"Bennett said he investigated and discovered that two individuals associated with Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe Governor Gideon Gono had proposed buying the house for Tsvangirai.
"Bennett said he urged Tsvangirai to turn off the arrangement and Tsvangirai agreed. "Tsvangirai had, however, accepted two vehicles from these individuals." Bennett, who could not be reached for comment, allegedly told Ray that although the MDC-T was good at campaigning, it lacked a crop of politicians to run a government.
He also took a swipe at Tsvangirai for often going against party positions. "Apart from the MDC, Bennett acknowledged that Zanu-PF will be involved in a future Zimbabwe; the challenge is to identify those in Zanu-PF who can play constructive roles, and to find ways to bolster them against extremists," Ray allegedly said in the leaked cables.
Tsvangirai's spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka yesterday refused to comment saying he does not comment to people's opinions. "We are only aware of what people of Zimbabwe cabled in 2008. It's not our business whatsoever as to what the Ambassador communicates with his people."
Tsvangirai is reportedly under investigation over the purchase of the house with allegations that he pocketed $1,5 million he received from the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.
Bennett allegedly said he urged Tsvangirai to turn down the offers. "He was aware of reports that Tsvangirai was buying a $1 million house in Harare," reads part of the cable.
"Bennett said he urged Tsvangirai to turn off the arrangement and Tsvangirai agreed. "Tsvangirai had, however, accepted two vehicles from these individuals." Bennett, who could not be reached for comment, allegedly told Ray that although the MDC-T was good at campaigning, it lacked a crop of politicians to run a government.
He also took a swipe at Tsvangirai for often going against party positions. "Apart from the MDC, Bennett acknowledged that Zanu-PF will be involved in a future Zimbabwe; the challenge is to identify those in Zanu-PF who can play constructive roles, and to find ways to bolster them against extremists," Ray allegedly said in the leaked cables.
Tsvangirai's spokesperson, Luke Tamborinyoka yesterday refused to comment saying he does not comment to people's opinions. "We are only aware of what people of Zimbabwe cabled in 2008. It's not our business whatsoever as to what the Ambassador communicates with his people."
Source - Wikileaks
