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Mpofu demoted over suspected links to corruption dossier
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Zanu-PF Secretary General Obert Mpofu has been stripped of his influential role and reassigned to the lesser post of Secretary for Information and Communication Technology (ICT), sparking speculation about his alleged links to a controversial corruption dossier recently tabled before the politburo.
The reshuffle was announced this week by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who appointed Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda, formerly the party's Treasurer General, as Mpofu's replacement. The politburo, Zanu-PF's supreme decision-making organ, is tasked with overseeing party affairs and ensuring unity.
Party activist Tonderai Chidawa said Mpofu's demotion reflected long-standing concerns over his leadership. He accused the former Secretary General of presiding over a fragmented party structure and suggested Mpofu may have known about the origins of the dossier that implicated senior party officials and business figures in corruption.
"He was failing to unite the party. The party is disintegrated," Chidawa told a local online TV channel, further questioning why Mpofu's name was conspicuously absent from the dossier. "Why is his name not being mentioned in the dossier?" he asked.
The dossier, reportedly originating from South Africa, named high-profile businessmen including Wicknell Chivayo and Kudakwashe Tagwirei. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is said to have pressed Mnangagwa on why those implicated had not faced arrest. However, Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa downplayed the issue, insisting the politburo had not discussed the dossier in detail.
Chidawa also claimed Mpofu's demotion was met with jubilation in his home provinces. "People are celebrating. There are celebrations in Matebeleland. We are talking of the downfall of a man who owns many big buildings in Bulawayo and Victoria Falls," he said.
The development comes as Zanu-PF's succession battle intensifies, with rival factions aligned to Mnangagwa and Chiwenga jostling for dominance ahead of the party's annual conference.
The reshuffle was announced this week by President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who appointed Speaker of the National Assembly Jacob Mudenda, formerly the party's Treasurer General, as Mpofu's replacement. The politburo, Zanu-PF's supreme decision-making organ, is tasked with overseeing party affairs and ensuring unity.
Party activist Tonderai Chidawa said Mpofu's demotion reflected long-standing concerns over his leadership. He accused the former Secretary General of presiding over a fragmented party structure and suggested Mpofu may have known about the origins of the dossier that implicated senior party officials and business figures in corruption.
The dossier, reportedly originating from South Africa, named high-profile businessmen including Wicknell Chivayo and Kudakwashe Tagwirei. Vice President Constantino Chiwenga is said to have pressed Mnangagwa on why those implicated had not faced arrest. However, Zanu-PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa downplayed the issue, insisting the politburo had not discussed the dossier in detail.
Chidawa also claimed Mpofu's demotion was met with jubilation in his home provinces. "People are celebrating. There are celebrations in Matebeleland. We are talking of the downfall of a man who owns many big buildings in Bulawayo and Victoria Falls," he said.
The development comes as Zanu-PF's succession battle intensifies, with rival factions aligned to Mnangagwa and Chiwenga jostling for dominance ahead of the party's annual conference.
Source - NewZimbabwe
