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Mutsvangwa attacks Chiwenga corruption narrative
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In a dramatic twist to Zanu-PF's ongoing internal battles, party spokesperson Chris Mutsvangwa has come out in full defence of the so-called "Zvigananda" - the nouveau riche and tenderpreneurs accused of corruption by Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga during last week's politburo meeting.
Chiwenga had taken aim at prominent businessmen closely linked to Zanu-PF, including tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei, businessman Wicknell Chivayo, and gold dealer Pedzisayi "Scott" Sakupwanya. He accused them of looting state resources, tarnishing the party's reputation, and destroying the economy, even going as far as saying they should be arrested.
But at a press briefing yesterday, Mutsvangwa launched a spirited defence of the controversial businessmen, many of them beneficiaries of state patronage. He dismissed Chiwenga's accusations as part of an orchestrated agenda to destabilise the ruling party.
"There are persistent efforts from detractors who are throwing cobwebs for us to witch-hunt ourselves," Mutsvangwa said. "They want to push an agenda that only a colonial economy can function. We have shown that we can defy that false narrative. The world has changed - now you get capital in São Paulo, Riyadh or Mumbai because of the emergence of new capital markets."
He further credited President Emmerson Mnangagwa for curbing gold smuggling and boosting production.
"President Mnangagwa killed the smuggling of gold. Zimbabwe is producing 51 tonnes of gold per annum. Some of the young people who have made money, such as Scott Sakupwanya, are playing a big role in empowering others who are mining gold to get a fair price after production," he added.
Mutsvangwa's remarks mark a sharp departure from his earlier stance, when he previously accused Tagwirei of using his wealth - acquired through Zanu-PF links - to try and buy political influence within the party.
The open rift between Chiwenga and Mutsvangwa underscores deepening factional divisions inside Zanu-PF, with rival camps rallying around either the vice-president's anti-corruption crusade or Mnangagwa's business-aligned benefactors who continue to bankroll the party.
Chiwenga had taken aim at prominent businessmen closely linked to Zanu-PF, including tycoon Kudakwashe Tagwirei, businessman Wicknell Chivayo, and gold dealer Pedzisayi "Scott" Sakupwanya. He accused them of looting state resources, tarnishing the party's reputation, and destroying the economy, even going as far as saying they should be arrested.
But at a press briefing yesterday, Mutsvangwa launched a spirited defence of the controversial businessmen, many of them beneficiaries of state patronage. He dismissed Chiwenga's accusations as part of an orchestrated agenda to destabilise the ruling party.
"There are persistent efforts from detractors who are throwing cobwebs for us to witch-hunt ourselves," Mutsvangwa said. "They want to push an agenda that only a colonial economy can function. We have shown that we can defy that false narrative. The world has changed - now you get capital in São Paulo, Riyadh or Mumbai because of the emergence of new capital markets."
He further credited President Emmerson Mnangagwa for curbing gold smuggling and boosting production.
"President Mnangagwa killed the smuggling of gold. Zimbabwe is producing 51 tonnes of gold per annum. Some of the young people who have made money, such as Scott Sakupwanya, are playing a big role in empowering others who are mining gold to get a fair price after production," he added.
Mutsvangwa's remarks mark a sharp departure from his earlier stance, when he previously accused Tagwirei of using his wealth - acquired through Zanu-PF links - to try and buy political influence within the party.
The open rift between Chiwenga and Mutsvangwa underscores deepening factional divisions inside Zanu-PF, with rival camps rallying around either the vice-president's anti-corruption crusade or Mnangagwa's business-aligned benefactors who continue to bankroll the party.
Source - online
